Advantages of root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is a procedure used to save decaying tooth, during which the infected pulp and the nerves are removed from the tooth, then the root canals are thoroughly cleaned and enlarged to allow the dentist to fill them properly. The tooth is filled up with a special material and sealed with a filling to complete the treatment. The most important advantage of the root canal treatment, that extractions can be avoided, and the patient is able to use their natural teeth for longer.

Not so long ago, extraction couldn’t be avoided when a tooth was heavily damaged. One of the benefits of the root canal treatment is that extractions can be avoided, and the tooth can be “saved”. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia, therefore it is completely painless.

Even though root canal treatment can save a tooth with severe decay from extraction, there are a couple of things to keep in mind to maximize the lifespan of the devitalized tooth:

• Regular teeth brushing with a good technique as well as the use of mouthwash and flossing can go a long way in preserving oral health, as a devitalized tooth can decay too.
• Dental check-ups are recommended at least twice a year, to avoid problems going unnoticed.
• As the tooth is devitalized, this can make it more fragile and prone to chipping when exposed to too much pressure.
• Sometimes, the tooth can darken after the treatment. This can be caused by a small amount of pulp being left inside the tooth or by the root canal medications. The dicolouration can be corrected by teeth whitening or a veneer.

The circulation stops in the devitalized tooth after the root canal treatment and that can make it more fragile. If the tooth chips or breaks, inlay, onlay or a crown is needed to restore the tooh.