Eliminate tooth infections that left untreated could cause serious issues like:
Infection that spreads to other teeth
Jawbone damage
Root Canal Treatments
A root canal is treatment for infections in tooth pulp, the innermost layer of your teeth. Endodontists and dentists do about 15 million root canals in the United States every year. Typically, root canals are painless treatments. You can avoid needing a root canal by brushing your teeth after meals, flossing daily and having regular dental checkups. You may need a root canal if bacteria inside your mouth invade the pulp inside your tooth and cause inflammation. Your tooth pulp may come under bacterial attack if:
- You have a deep cavity that needs treatment.
- You have a cracked or damaged tooth, and bacteria from plaque infects your tooth pulp.
Benefits
Questions
What happens if I delay root canal treatment?
Putting off root canal treatment increases the chance that:
- You’ll lose your infected tooth.
- The infection in your tooth pulp will spread to other teeth.
- The infection will spread to your jawbone.
How long does it take to recover from a root canal?
Typically, it takes less than a week to recover from a root canal. Call your healthcare provider if your treated tooth hurts for more than a week.
Do root canals hurt?
Root canal treatment can be uncomfortable, mostly when your provider injects anesthesia into your gums and other parts of your mouth. Your provider wants you to be relaxed during treatment, so never hesitate to let them know if something hurts.
If you’re like most people, you’ll have less pain after treatment because it eliminated the infection that made your tooth hurt. Your tooth may feel sensitive for the first few days after treatment. That said, contact your provider right away if you have throbbing pain. Throbbing pain may mean there’s still infected pulp in your tooth.
