Reasons for Getting Root Canal Treatment
The words ‘root canal’ probably don’t bring a smile to your face. No one hopes to end up in a position where a root canal treatment is the best course of action for their oral health, but that situation is a reality for many people. The good news is this – if you do need a root canal, the actual experience is unlikely to be as objectionable as the reputation carried by this treatment. In reality, it’s not too bad at all, and it can provide the patient with significant relief.
In this post, we are going to highlight some of the reasons why you may need to consider root canal treatment1. Of course, simply reading a blog post isn’t going to determine if you need a root canal, so be sure to contact Lakeside Dental right away to schedule an appointment.
Setting the Stage
Before we can properly discuss why you might need to have a root canal treatment, we first need to explain the goal of the procedure and what it can accomplish when completed successfully. A ‘root canal’ is actually a part of your oral anatomy – it’s where the roots of your individual teeth are located. If the soft tissue, known as pulp, within your root canal becomes inflamed or infected, it may be necessary to have a root canal treatment to correct the problem.
The benefits of having a root canal treatment completed are many. You can enjoy full use of your teeth for activities like chewing once the work is done, and you’ll be protecting the surrounding teeth from excessive wear. Also, if you are currently in pain, a root canal treatment can relieve that pain and make you more comfortable on a day to day basis. Those who need root canal treatment often report that they have teeth which are particularly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, and they may also feel pain while trying to chew food. Between regaining normal function and taking away pain, it’s easy to see why so many root canal treatments are performed each year.
Deep Decay
Tooth decay is one of the leading reasons for a patient to eventually need to have a root canal treatment. When the decay is deep enough, it can lead to issues in the pulp – and eventually, some of the issues such as pain and trouble chewing will start to present. One of the reasons it’s so important to take care of your teeth on an ongoing basis is so you can avoid issues with tooth decay. While there is no guarantee that good oral health habits will prevent tooth decay, they are a big step in the right direction. It’s important to develop good habits at a young age, and to continue on with those habits into adulthood, so the chances of tooth decay can be reduced.
A Damaged Tooth
If you have a tooth that is damaged in some way, such as a cracked or chipped tooth, you may be vulnerable to root canal problems in that area. Without the tooth in proper condition to protect the underlying pulp, the development of infection or inflammation is quite possible. A tooth that is in poor health may develop a chip or crack at some point along the way, or you might end up in this position as a result of a trauma such as being struck in the face by an object. If possible, it’s best to deal with the issue of a damaged tooth before the health of the pulp below has a chance to deteriorate.
Ongoing Dental Procedures
Those who have had a lot of work done in the same area of their mouth over the years may be at an increased risk of needing root canal treatment. Talk to your dentist about this possibility to discuss what could be done in terms of preventative measures to help keep your root canal healthy. Of course, if you already have problems in the root of a tooth or teeth, it may be too late to do anything other than have a root canal treatment performed.
Significant Fillings
The use of big fillings in the mouth can also make it possible that root canal treatment will be needed at some point. By now, you should be seeing a pattern, in that anything which causes trauma or disrupts the usual working order in the mouth can wind up leading to root canal issues. Some of these problems are potentially preventable through the use of good oral hygiene, while other issues are out of your control and you can only work with your dentist to make the best of the situation moving forward.
What’s It Like?
Okay – so we’ve taken a quick look at some of the issues that can lead to getting a root canal treatment. But what is this procedure actually like? For starters, you’ll need to have an X-ray taken for the dentist to evaluate the situation. When it’s time for the work to be performed, it’s likely that anesthesia will be used to help you remain comfortable during the procedure. With the anesthesia in effect, a hole will be drilled in the tooth, so the root canal can be accessed. Working through this hole, the root canal can be scraped out to remove the pulp. When that task is complete, the tooth will need to be sealed back up. It’s possible that the tooth will be sealed right then and there, but it’s also possible that the dentist will want to wait a week or so before taking that final step. If you have any questions about how your root canal is expected to proceed, be sure to ask them in advance.
Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. If you would like to learn more about what a root canal treatment can offer your oral health, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment2, please give us a call during business hours. We appreciate your time and hope to serve you soon!
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Contributed by DentalROI
DentalROI provides relevant dental content to help providers educate patients. The statements, services, and products referenced in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and they are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dental provider with any questions or issues you may have. Specific recommendations may vary in different circumstances, so individual consultation is important.
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