Tooth pain will not go away on its own so it is important to seek treatment from your dentist when you experience pain or sensitivity to avoid further damage to the tooth and even neighboring teeth. Root canal therapy is a procedure used to clear infection and bacteria from inside a tooth. It is often used to save a tooth before a restorative procedure such as a composite filling or porcelain crown. A patient may require a root canal if a tooth is fractured, severely damaged, or has extensive decay that extends through the enamel.
What causes tooth pain?
Tooth decay can lead to sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages and sugary items. A small cavity may not cause any discomfort but left untreated, can quickly grow further into the tooth, penetrating the dentin into the pulp of the tooth. The pulp of the tooth is the tissue that carries blood flow and houses the nerve of the tooth. Once infection reaches the pulp, often the only way to treat the tooth is with root canal therapy. If your dentist thinks that you may need a root canal, they will refer you to an endodontist for evaluation.
The endodontist will perform a series of tests on the tooth and evaluate the area to see if you do need a root canal. Root canal treatment is not painful since a local anesthetic is administered and you are completely numb during the procedure. The doctor will drill an access hole in the tooth in order to remove the infected pulp tissue. Once the infection is clear, they will place a temporary filling to protect the area until you have a permanent restoration placed. You may experience some discomfort after the procedure for a few days which should subside as the tooth and surrounding tissues calm down.
You may be advised to have your tooth restored by your dentist as soon as possible but most of the time, dentists prefer that you wait a couple of weeks to make sure the tooth has time to recover from root canal treatment. Your dentist will restore the tooth with a permanent restoration such as a composite filling or a porcelain crown, depending on the state of the remaining tooth structure.
Root Canal Therapy vs. Extraction
Root canal therapy is used as an effort to save the tooth. It is important to keep as many of your natural teeth and as much tooth structure as possible so it is usually better to have a root canal than to have a tooth extracted. If a tooth is hopeless, extraction may be the only option. Having a tooth extracted unnecessarily can lead to other issues with surrounding teeth. When a space is left between teeth, the healthy teeth begin to shift trying to close the space. This can cause loose teeth and loss of jaw bone structure.
Root canal therapy is much less invasive than an extraction and implant surgery. It is also less stressful to your overall health and recovery time is minimal. Tooth pain will only worsen over time, so it is important to the health of all of your teeth to see your dentist as soon as possible.