Why is My Dentist Recommending a Root Canal?

A root canal is one of the more serious dental treatments. It’s also one of the most effective options your root canal specialist in Thornton, CO has for saving your permanent tooth. If you’re wondering why your dentist is recommending a root canal, it likely has to do with something that is jeopardizing one of your teeth, such as one of the following:

Cracked or Fractured Tooth

In the event that a tooth has been broken or cracked to the point that the inner pulp has been compromised or made vulnerable to bacterial infection, a root canal operation may be required. The type of crack or fracture, and the degree to which it has occurred will determine whether or not you require a root canal. Your dentist or endodontist will be able to examine your tooth and advise you on the most appropriate course of treatment.

Abscessed Tooth

Abscessed teeth are caused by tooth decay severe enough to allow infection to enter the dental pulp. As the tooth pulp becomes infected, it can cause an abscess surrounding the tooth’s gums. An abscess is a pus-filled swelling spot on the gums. Left untreated, an abscessed tooth can cause the tooth and jawbone to degenerate, causing further discomfort and damage to the smile. Moreover, the abscess can force the tooth upward, making it looser and more susceptible to loss. In the early stages of an abscessed tooth, your dentist can treat it with antibiotics or by draining pus. If the tooth becomes infected, though, your dentist will need to perform root canal therapy to preserve it.

Deep Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the tooth where acid erodes the enamel and dentin. 2 If this decay is not addressed in its early stages, it will gradually progress until it reaches the pulp of the tooth, causing inflammation and infection of the pulp, discomfort, and finally the tooth’s demise. Your dentist may prescribe a root canal if serious tooth decay has reached the pulp of the tooth. During a root canal operation, the damaged portions of the tooth and the entire infected pulp are removed, medicine may be given to eliminate any current infection, and the root is filled and sealed with a dental filler. The function of the tooth must then be restored with a filling or a crown.

Gum Disease

One of the ways gum disease can lead to the need for a root canal is by affecting the pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp tissue consists of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and is fragile and delicate. When periodontal disease advances, it can cause the gums to separate from the teeth, exposing the root surface to germs. The bacteria can then infect the pulp tissue by entering the tooth through tiny root holes. Infected pulp tissue can become inflamed and swollen, resulting in discomfort, sensitivity, and potentially an abscess. If the infection is not quickly treated, it can spread to the neighboring tissues, resulting in further harm to the tooth and its supporting structures.

Remember, your dentist’s ultimate goal is to keep your permanent teeth healthy. A root canal is an effective way to save a tooth when its health is jeopardized. When you need a root canal in Thornton, CO, contact us to book your appointment.