When Do You Require Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy can help save your tooth from extraction or even prevent a serious infection of the pulp from occurring. Your dentist could perform the procedure or refer you to an endodontist if the tooth root has complications or a severe infection.

Typically, you should visit a dentist if you experience severe tooth sensitivity and pain, tooth discoloration, or swelling around the gums. However, these symptoms don't always point to the need for a root canal. Below is a look at situations that will usually necessitate root canal therapy for your tooth.

Far-reaching tooth decay

Extensive tooth decay can result in deep cavities that spread into the inner tooth, causing intense tooth sensitivity and pain. In such cases, a filling may not suffice to cure your symptoms, and a root canal may be required to seal the tooth and protect your tooth nerve endings and blood vessels from getting infected.

Basically, your dentist will remove the decay and cap the tooth with a crown so as to restore the structure of the tooth and keep food debris out, halting any further sensitivity or decay. The procedure will also allow injured nerve endings to heal, restoring your tooth function.

Infected root

If left untreated, tooth decay can extend deep into the inner tooth and infect the tooth root, which consists of sensitive blood vessels and nerves. This may initially result in sharp pain when taking hot or cold foods, but the pain may finally fade away after the root is dead.

An infection could also reach the tooth root if a tooth is chipped or cracked, creating space for bacteria to penetrate deep into the inner tooth and cause an infection. It is important to visit a dentist if you experience sharp pain in your tooth or are impacted by trauma that causes visible damage to your teeth, as timely treatment could help prevent the onset of a root infection.

If infected, the root will usually have to be removed and the inner tooth cleaned so as to halt the infection. Subsequently, your dentist will cap the tooth with a crown and seal cracks with filling material. 

Remember to visit your dentist after your teeth are impacted by severe trauma such as a fall, even if the teeth don't chip or crack. The force can sometimes damage or injure the roots without causing visible damage to tooth enamel, necessitating that the affected roots be removed to allow for proper recovery. Contact a company like Alliance Family Dental to learn more.


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