Root canals don’t exactly have the best reputation. For many people, simply hearing the words “root canal” brings up thoughts of pain, lengthy dental procedures or losing a tooth.
But the purpose of root canal treatment is quite the opposite. When the soft tissue inside a tooth becomes significantly inflamed or infected, a root canal can address the problem while allowing you to keep your natural tooth whenever possible.
Understanding the benefits of root canal treatment can help you see why your dentist may recommend the procedure and what treating the tooth can accomplish.
Benefit #1: Addresses the Source of Tooth Pain
One of the biggest benefits of root canal treatment is that it addresses a problem occurring inside the tooth.
Beneath the hard outer layers of your tooth is soft tissue called dental pulp. When this tissue becomes significantly inflamed or infected, it can cause symptoms such as persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, discomfort when chewing or swelling around the tooth.
During root canal treatment, the affected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned, disinfected, filled and sealed.
In other words, the root canal isn’t the source of the toothache but a treatment designed to address the dental problem that may be causing it.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area, and some tenderness may occur afterward while the surrounding tissues recover.
If anxiety about treatment is one of your concerns, sedation for root canal treatment may also be available for appropriate patients.
Benefit #2: Helps Save Your Natural Tooth
One of the primary goals of root canal treatment is preserving a natural tooth that might otherwise need to be removed.
When the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or irreversibly damaged, simply filling the outside of the tooth may no longer be enough. Root canal treatment allows the affected tissue inside the tooth to be removed while preserving the remaining tooth structure.
Afterward, the tooth is restored as appropriate so it can continue functioning.
There are situations where a tooth is too damaged to save and extraction is necessary. But when a tooth can be successfully treated and restored, root canal therapy may provide an opportunity to preserve it rather than remove it.
Saving the natural tooth also means you may be able to avoid the immediate need to replace an extracted tooth with a dental implant, bridge or another tooth-replacement option.
Benefit #3: Treats Infection While Helping Restore and Protect the Tooth
Root canal treatment doesn’t simply cover up symptoms. It addresses the affected tissue inside the tooth.
The pulp can become inflamed or infected for several reasons, including:
- Deep tooth decay.
- Cracks or fractures.
- Trauma to a tooth.
- Damage that allows bacteria to reach the pulp.
- Repeated dental treatment involving the same tooth.
During treatment, the affected pulp is removed and the canal spaces inside the tooth are cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed.
Treating the source of the problem is important because an untreated infection involving a tooth can progress and affect the tissues surrounding it.
After root canal treatment, the tooth is restored as appropriate. Depending on the location of the tooth and the amount of remaining structure, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to help protect the tooth and restore biting and chewing function.
If you’d like to understand exactly what a root canal is, our guide explains why the treatment may be needed and what happens during the procedure.
Is It Better to Have a Root Canal or Pull the Tooth?
There isn’t one answer that applies to every damaged tooth.
If a tooth has enough healthy structure and support to be successfully treated and restored, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment to preserve it.
If the tooth is severely fractured, lacks adequate support or cannot be predictably restored, extraction may be more appropriate.
That’s why the decision shouldn’t be based simply on which procedure sounds easier. Your dentist needs to evaluate the condition of the tooth and determine which options are appropriate for your oral health.
Are Root Canals Painful?
This is one of the most common concerns surrounding root canal treatment.
We use local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. You may experience pressure or other sensations during the procedure, and some tenderness afterward is possible as the surrounding tissues recover.
It’s also important to remember that the dental condition requiring the root canal may itself be painful.
Many fears surrounding treatment come from outdated information or stories about procedures performed years ago. Our guide to common root canal myths addresses some of these misconceptions in more detail.
If you’re genuinely nervous about a root canal, talking with your dental team beforehand can help you understand what to expect and discuss ways to make your appointment more manageable.
When Is Root Canal Treatment Recommended?
Your dentist may consider root canal treatment when the pulp inside a tooth has become significantly inflamed, infected or damaged and the tooth can still be restored.
Symptoms that warrant evaluation may include persistent tooth pain, lingering sensitivity, pain while chewing, swelling or changes around a tooth.
However, symptoms alone can’t tell you whether you need a root canal. A dental examination and appropriate imaging are necessary to determine what’s happening and which treatment is appropriate.
Can You Prevent the Need for a Root Canal?
Some causes of root canal treatment are avoidable through good preventive dental care.
Brushing, flossing, regular dental examinations and treating cavities before they become deep can help prevent decay from progressing toward the pulp.
Cracks and dental injuries aren’t always preventable, though, which means even someone with excellent oral hygiene may occasionally develop a tooth that requires treatment.
We’ve put together a separate guide explaining how to avoid a root canal and the steps you can take to protect your
teeth.
Learn More About the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment in Shorewood, IL
If you’re experiencing persistent tooth pain or have been told you may need a root canal, the next step is determining what’s happening inside the tooth and whether it can be preserved.At Shorewood Family Dental Care, our team can evaluate your tooth, explain your treatment options and answer questions you may have about root canal therapy.
Learn more about our root canal treatment in Shorewood, IL, or call 815-725-5991 to schedule an appointment.
