When Is Root Canal Treatment Recommended?
A root canal treatment is a procedure that involves clearing out bad pulp, cleaning the root canal and finally filling and sealing the space. Once that process is complete, the tooth is fitted with a crown or other type of restoration for extra strength and protection. To understand the importance of this endodontic treatment, you first need to have basic understanding of tooth anatomy.
The tooth consists of four dental tissues which include the enamel, dentin and cementum that are hard tissues and the pulp, which is the soft and live part of the tooth. The outer part is the enamel, which is clearly seen. It is white, hard and comprises mostly of calcium phosphate. Beneath the enamel is the dentin layer which covers the pulp. It is less brittle compared to the enamel and its main purpose is to offer support to the enamel while it also transmits impulses from the root or the enamel to the dental pulp. Within the dentin lies the pulp, a soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and other connective tissues. The pulp is located within the root of the tooth is further protected by the final layer called cementum. Cementum is a hard-connective tissue that also helps anchor the tooth to the periodontal ligament.
When is a Root Canal Necessary?
Damage or infection to the nerve of the tooth caused by either trauma or untreated tooth decay can make your dentist near Rifle recommend a root canal procedure. Once the nerve becomes compromised or exposed, you start to experience symptoms such as persistent tooth pain, swelling, headaches, tooth sensitivity and general discomfort. If you do not get any treatment, the situation may worsen and you develop and abscess that not only puts you at risk of losing your tooth, but the infection may spread to other parts of the body and become fatal. A tooth abscess is considered enough reason to reach out to an emergency dentist near Rifle, Co.
Root Canal Vs Extraction
Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and there is a good reason why dentists always insist on saving them, if there is a chance. By keeping your natural teeth, you get to avoid a number of potential oral health problems associated with tooth loss. In a root can treatment, the objective is to get rid of the infected part of the tooth whilst ensuring you still keep your tooth. In the long run you spend less money on restorative treatments that would otherwise be required, if you had chosen to extract the tooth instead.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for root canal treatment and sometimes the only option available to restore your oral health is to pull out the infected tooth. A severely damaged tooth or teeth that are far back in the mouth are at times hard to treat with root canal therapy. Also, if you have had multiple failed root canals, your dentist in Rifle may suggest an extraction instead. An extraction however requires follow up restoration treatments to prevent problems like bone loss and shifting of teeth. The extracted tooth has to be replaced with implants, dentures or bridges.
Do Root Canals Cause Health Problems?
A fully erupted tooth can do without the pulp since it continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissues. The procedure in itself is effectively done has a success rate of more than 95%. However, despite your dentist’s best efforts to clean and seal the tooth, there are some complications likely to arise. New infections might develop or the sealing material may breakdown over time causing the pulp to be contaminated once again. This should however not scare you from getting the procedure.
At Rifle Dental Care, our dentists make an effort to educate patients on the aftercare steps following a root canal procedure to avoid any complications. You are also encouraged to observe your follow-up appointments to allow the dentist monitor your healing progress.