If you’ve never undergone root canal treatment before, you may not know exactly what to expect. This might make you nervous, or even hesitant, to treat your tooth, which could potentially lead to even more trouble for your tooth. The good news is that root canal treatment isn’t the ordeal that many people expect it to be. Also, after having the infection within your tooth successfully removed, you can expect a number of different benefits.
It’s similar to filling a cavity, but more involved
A tooth that needs root canal treatment is typically threatened by severe tooth decay, which means the tissues and nerves inside of the tooth (and its root canal) have become infected. More minor cases of tooth decay, which lead to mild or moderate cavities, can often addressed by cleaning the tooth structure and filling the cavity with a tooth-colored filling. Root canal treatment follows the same principles of removing tooth infection and replacing lost tooth structure. However, because the infection is more invasive, root canal treatment is more involved than a more conservative tooth filling procedure.
Your tooth won’t ache from decay anymore
Aching and discomfort in your tooth are common signs of tooth decay, especially as the infection progresses. This is because your tooth structure becomes more sensitive as its main structure is eroded by the decay. In cases of internal tooth decay, however, the infection directly affects your tooth’s nerves, making the discomfort significantly more intense. After removing the infected nerves and tissues from within your tooth, you can finally enjoy lasting relief from the chronic discomfort that they were causing.
You’ll have a better chance of keeping the tooth
When you remove the nerves, tissues, and blood vessels from inside of your tooth’s pulp and root canal, the infection will effectively stop progressing and eroding more of your tooth structure. This is important for two main reasons; the more tooth structure you preserve, the stronger it is, and the sooner you address decay, the more of the tooth’s structure you can preserve. Hesitating much longer could give the decay in your tooth time to become even more severe, creating several additional concerns for your immediate and long-term oral health.
Learn what to expect from root canal treatment
If your tooth needs root canal treatment, then there are several benefits you can expect from seeking treatment as soon as possible. To learn more about how, or to schedule a consultation, call Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108.
Recent Comments