What If I Don’t Have The Root Canal Done?

A root canal (Endodontic Therapy) is a dental procedure to remove the soft pulp tissue inside the center of a tooth, leaving the rest of the tooth – including the roots – intact. The treatment saves the tooth and may last a lifetime. Root canals have a high success rate.

Q: My tooth wakes me up at night. I went to the dentist and my dentist says the tooth needs root canal treatment. What if I don’t have the root canal done?

A: The most common symptom of inflammation or infection of the dental pulp of a tooth is pain. Your dentist needs to determine if a root canal can save your tooth. Since the tooth can be saved, your choices to get out of pain are extract the tooth or the root canal. An infected tooth will never heal on its own, causing more problems and becoming more painful over time.

Q: Why not just take the tooth out?

A: Removing the tooth removes the cause of pain and infection, but leads to future problems. Teeth are meant to work as a group. Extracted teeth need to be replaced with a bridge or dental implant. Without replacement, jaw function and alignment of the remaining teeth will change. It is always better to keep your natural tooth than replace it with an artificial one.

Q: How did my problem start?

A: Trauma to the mouth to break the tooth or the nerve into the tooth, deep decay, large or broken fillings are the usual cause. Sometimes a tooth is slowly dying after the trauma or dental treatment and symptoms occur months later.

Q: My tooth hurts when I eat something hot, when I bite on it, and when I push on the jaw above the tooth. Do I need a root canal?

A: The nerve in your tooth has died. Now there is an abscess below your gum in the bone at the end of the tooth. A root canal is needed to remove the infection from within the tooth. The root canal removes the infected remnants of the nerve and blood vessels, then disinfects and fills the canals. This will allow your body to heal the infection remaining in the bone.

Q: What is the procedure?

A: Usually one appointment. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area. The tooth is isolated and a small opening is made into the center of the tooth. The canals inside the roots are cleaned and shaped. The canals and access opening are filled.

Q: Why do I need a crown after a root canal?

A: Teeth that need root canals have past fillings or have been broken. When the nerves and blood supply of the tooth are removed the tooth becomes brittle. A crown covers the tooth to return the tooth to its proper form and protects during function.

Remember the health of your mouth affects your whole body. Don’t let easily treated dental problems turn into teeth needing root canal treatment. Seeing your dentist is part of your wellness program.