Yes. A root canal treats an infected or inflamed tooth by cleaning out the damaged tissue, disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and sealing it with a rubber-like material called gutta percha. Because the procedure saves your natural tooth instead of requiring extraction, it preserves your smile’s natural alignment and appearance, eliminates the pain caused by infection, and prevents that infection from spreading to nearby teeth or your jawbone.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
When a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, usually from deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental work, the inner pulp of the tooth can become a source of pain and infection. During a root canal, your dentist carefully cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, removing the infected tissue. The tooth is then filled and sealed with gutta percha, a biocompatible material, and typically capped with a custom crown to restore its strength and appearance.
How Does a Root Canal Benefit My Smile?
It preserves your natural tooth. Rather than extracting the infected tooth, a root canal treats the problem at its source, saving your natural tooth structure and avoiding the extra step of a bridge or dental implant down the road.
It maintains your natural alignment and appearance. Because the tooth stays in place, the rest of your teeth aren’t left to shift or drift, so your smile’s alignment and appearance stay the way they were before the infection.
It eliminates tooth pain. An infected tooth can cause significant discomfort. Removing the infected tissue during a root canal relieves that pain, letting you get back to a more comfortable, confident smile.
It prevents the infection from spreading. Left untreated, an infected tooth can spread infection to neighboring teeth or into the jawbone. A root canal stops that spread before it becomes a bigger, more complicated problem.
The finished crown looks natural. After a root canal, your tooth is typically restored with a custom-made crown designed to blend in with the rest of your smile, so the repaired tooth looks like a natural part of your bite rather than an obvious fix.
How Do I Know If I Need a Root Canal?
Common signs include persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers, swelling or tenderness in the gums near a tooth, or a tooth that has darkened. Only a dental exam can confirm whether a root canal is needed, so it’s worth having any of these symptoms checked promptly rather than waiting for them to worsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a root canal painful?
Modern root canal treatment is designed to relieve pain, not cause it. The procedure removes the source of the infection that’s causing discomfort, and most patients report the process itself is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.
What happens if I skip a root canal and just pull the tooth?
Extracting the tooth removes the infection, but it also means you lose the natural tooth entirely, which can affect your bite, alignment, and appearance, and typically leads to needing a bridge or dental implant to fill the gap.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often, yes. A root canal removes the infected tissue from inside the tooth, and a crown restores the tooth’s strength and protects it from future damage while giving it a natural appearance.
How long does a treated tooth last after a root canal?
With proper care and a well-fitted crown, a tooth treated with a root canal can last for many years, in many cases functioning like any other natural tooth in your mouth.
Can any infected tooth be saved with a root canal?
Not always. It depends on how advanced the infection or damage is and the overall condition of the tooth. A dental exam is the only way to know whether a root canal can save your tooth or whether another treatment is a better option.
Think You Might Need a Root Canal?
If you’re dealing with tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact David M. White, DDS in Reno, NV to schedule an evaluation, or learn more about our root canal treatment.
