The most common role of root canal treatment is to treat a tooth that’s developed decay (or tooth infection) within its pulp and root canal. However, the nature of how decay reaches this area of your tooth isn’t always the same for everyone, and therefore, neither is the need for root canal treatment. Today, we examine a few different conditions that might warrant root canal treatment, and the role the treatment plays in saving your tooth from them.
Dealing with existing internal decay
The point of root canal treatment is to remove infected nerves and tissues from within a tooth’s pulp and root canal, which are at the center of the tooth’s crown and root structures. This may become necessary when progressive tooth becomes severe enough. If you hesitate to treat a cavity or postpone your treatment of it, then the decay can grow worse and reach the pulp before you do seek treatment for it. With root canal treatment, we can successfully remove the infected tooth structure and pulp tissues, then fill and seal them, to stop the decay and protect the tooth from any further harm.
Preparing to restore a fractured a tooth
The progression of tooth decay is one of the most frequent ways for a tooth’s internal tissues to become infected, but it isn’t the only way. For example, if a tooth’s crown fractures severely enough, the pulp chamber and the tissues inside of it may become immediately exposed to harmful oral bacteria. Even if the tooth didn’t have tooth decay before the fracture, it can be at a significant risk of severe tooth decay as long as the tissues are exposed. Before repairing and restoring the tooth with a custom restoration, such as a dental crown, your dentist may first have to perform root canal treatment to ensure no bacteria or infected tooth tissues will be trapped inside of your tooth.
Retreating a tooth with a failed restoration
When a tooth has been treated for milder tooth decay, such as with a tooth filling, the tooth can regain much of its health and integrity. Yet, the tooth structure that has been affected can still be vulnerable if the restoration fails. You may not notice this at first, and in the meantime, the tooth’s more vulnerable structures may once again develop decay. If this occurs, you may require more involved root canal treatment to ensure the decay is thoroughly removed and preserve your remaining healthy tooth structure.
Learn how root canal treatment can save your tooth
Root canal treatment is designed to save teeth from severe decay, but the need for it may not always be as simple as you’d expect. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500.
