Root canals have a bad reputation that they don’t really deserve. While modern root canals are completely painless thanks to local anesthetic treatments, they have long been portrayed as absolutely horrible in cartoons and other comedic media. While these representations are undoubtedly funny, they can unfortunately lead some people to delay getting needed dental treatments for far too long. Here’s a brief overview of the negative consequences of procrastinating on getting a root canal.
Why Are Root Canals Necessary?
A root canal can save a tooth from extraction and unnecessary pain because it eliminates the source of or potential for infection in a tooth compromised by decay or injury. It’s important to remember that teeth do not heal from decay on their own, and dental infections will only get worse without professional dental intervention. Untreated tooth decay can even spread to other teeth, requiring them to undergo restorative work or even to be extracted.
Root canals may be used if the tooth is already severely infected or if the outer layers of enamel of dentin have been breached, exposing the pulp to the external environment. In either case, the state of the pulp can only be expected to get worse, leading to severe infections that can cause miserable dental pain, tooth loss, or even potentially life-threatening secondary infections like sepsis or pneumonia.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Once your dentist recommends getting a root canal, you should schedule one as soon as you can. Your dentist will begin the procedure by numbing the troubled tooth and its surrounding area with a local anesthetic to render the whole process painless. They will then remove any decayed or damaged structure from the tooth before accessing its inner chamber. There, they will remove the pulp to eliminate the infection as well as the potential for future ones.
They will then sanitize the chamber, fill it, seal it, and then place a dental crown to restore the tooth to its original appearance, size, and shape while protecting it from injury and further contamination.
Waiting too long to get a root canal can be a dangerous proposition. If your dentist is recommending that you have one of these treatments, you can rest assured that it is for a very good reason.
About the Practice
Sedalia Dental delivers the finest oral health services available in Groveport, OH. Led by Drs. Katie and Aaron Carroll, the staff provides courteous and friendly care in a welcoming and supportive environment. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry such as root canal treatments. To schedule that root canal you’ve been putting off, contact the office online or dial (614) 836-2222.