Because root canal treatment has such a bad—and undeserved—reputation, you might think that it would be better to have a tooth removed than to go through root canal therapy in order to preserve it. However, this is not the case. A root canal can help you keep your tooth, making sure your smile remains intact and you avoid the long-term side effects of a missing tooth.
Side Effects of a Lost Tooth
The loss of a single tooth seems like a minor issue, but in the long term, it can cause major problems. With an empty space in your mouth, your teeth will move out of position, changing the way your top and bottom teeth fit together and potentially leading to serious issues with your bite as well as premature wear and avoidable damage. In addition, the socket where your tooth root sat will be resorbed automatically, weakening the jawbone in that area. Once a tooth is gone, the only way to avoid these problems is to have it replaced, and only a dental implant can prevent the bone tissue from being resorbed.
Overall, it’s better to avoid losing a tooth if at all possible. In many cases, root canal treatment enables you to keep your tooth by removing infection from its interior and then restoring it so it remains usable. Any discomfort you were experiencing will be gone, and your smile will remain intact.
The Root Canal and How it Helps
A common cause of tooth loss is severe decay. However, if a tooth is severely decayed or experiencing infection in its interior, often a root canal can provide an answer. Root canal treatment, usually performed by an endodontist, involves removing all the infected tissue from the tooth’s interior. The tooth is then sterilized, filled with a special resin, and then restored with a dental crown.
After it’s been treated, your tooth will no longer experience sensations of cold, heat, or pressure, because all the nerve tissue is removed. It will also be able to hold up to chewing and biting stresses because of the dental crown. You’ll no longer be in discomfort, and you won’t have to worry about the long-term effects of losing a tooth.
Let us put you at ease about your root canal treatment and call us at Access Endodontics today.
