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The mere mention of root canal therapy can cause some patients to hesitate. Because the procedure involves accessing the highly sensitive interior of your tooth, it can seem like an uncomfortable and invasive procedure. The truth, however, is that modern root canal treatment is minimally invasive and can often be completed in just a single visit. Advanced technology and the addition of dental sedation, when appropriate, make it a much more simpler procedure than you may realize. Besides the procedure itself, there are more things you should know about root canal treatment, including how it might be your last chance to save a tooth that has become severely infected.

It might be the only way to stop the pain.

The need for root canal treatment typically stems from a tooth that suffers from internal decay (tooth infection). The pulp chamber of your tooth houses the nerves and blood vessels, and when infected, the resulting pain can be debilitating. Removing the infection with root canal treatment may be the only to stop it.

It might be your last resort before extracting the tooth.

If internal tooth infection is left unchecked, it can destroy the majority of your healthy tooth structure and pose a threat to the rest of your oral health. In severe cases, the tooth may have to be extracted and replaced. However, if treated with root canal therapy first, you may be able to preserve the remaining healthy tooth structure and avoid the need for tooth replacement.

It might save more than just your tooth from infection.

Your tooth’s pulp is connected to the root canal that extends into your jawbone. The main focus of root canal treatment is to stop the infection in your tooth’s pulp from travelling through the root canal and beyond. Otherwise, your infected tooth could lead to a host of other, increasingly more serious oral health complications.

Learn More About the Need for Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment often gets an unfairly bad rap, which can cause many patients to skip treatment and leave their oral health in even greater danger. To learn more about the importance of root canal treatment, schedule a consultation by calling Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108. We also welcome patients from Mount Vernon, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and all nearby communities.