Root canal therapy can sometimes be necessary to address a significantly damaged and/or decayed tooth. The treatment can clear a tooth of infection and potentially save it from extraction. An untreated tooth infection can cause severe pain and increase risks to both oral and general health. Our cosmetic dentist, Jimmy Wu, DDS, may recommend root canal therapy to relieve pain, greatly reduce the risk that an infection will spread to the jaw, other oral structures, and even other areas of the body, and to ultimately save the tooth.
Root canal therapy typically involves cleaning out the infection and sealing the nerve chamber of the affected tooth. It is often recommended that a dental crown be placed on the tooth after the root canal has been performed in order to reinforce its structure and protect it from further harm. A root canal for one tooth can typically be completed in a single appointment.
Here are five reasons why you should never put off root canal therapy:
- 1. Constant Pain: An infection within your tooth can be very painful, even debilitating. Without treatment, the pain can get worse and become chronic (if it isn’t already). Root canal therapy can relieve ongoing pain caused by the infection and can often preserve the tooth.
- 2. Potentially Life-Threatening Infection: If your infection is not treated, it can spread throughout the tooth and into other areas of the mouth and body. While the infection starts within the tooth, the longer it is left untreated, the risk of it spreading to other parts of the body increases, along with the potential of life-threatening health conditions.
- 3. Tooth Loss: An untreated tooth infection may cause the loss of the tooth altogether. If root canal therapy is not performed, you run the risk of the infection completely compromising your tooth. This tooth will likely need to be extracted and other, more invasive restorative treatment options may need to be considered at that point. You may then need a dental implant or a dental bridge to replace the missing tooth.
- 4. Jaw Bone Loss: A tooth infection can lead to significant jaw bone loss. While the infection can be detrimental to your oral health due to its effect on the tooth, your jawbone is also at risk if you delay treatment. In some severe cases, large portions of the jaw may be compromised and require removal.
- 5. Serious Health Issues: In the most severe cases of tooth infections, damage throughout the body may be caused if treatment is not performed. Infected teeth can eventually lead to a dental abscess, heart attack, stroke, or sepsis. Further treatment beyond root canal therapy will likely be needed if a tooth infection has begun to trigger serious health-related conditions. By treating your tooth infection in a timely manner, you can go a long way toward helping to prevent these potential side effects from ever occurring.Â
If you would like to learn more about root canal therapy and why it is important to seek treatment as quickly as possible, contact our practice today.
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