When you first find out that you need a root canal treatment, you’re likely to be somewhat nervous. In fact, you may even consider simply avoiding the procedure altogether. However, this is never a good idea; if you don’t have a root canal treatment performed as quickly as possible, it could lead to serious problems for your oral health. Below is a closer look at what could happen if you put your root canal off for too long.
What Exactly is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is the removal of dental pulp, which is a collection of nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues located at the center of your tooth. The procedure involves creating a small opening in the tooth so that the pulp can be taken out. Afterwards, the inside of the tooth is thoroughly disinfected before being re-filled with a special biocompatible substance called gutta-percha. In order to strengthen and protect the treated tooth, a dental crown will likely be placed.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Root Canal Treatment Performed?
If a root canal treatment is recommended in your case, it’s likely because the pulp in one of your teeth has become infected. Unfortunately, this type of dental issue will not go away on its own; on the contrary, the infection will only grow more severe over time. This can lead to severe, throbbing tooth pain that can take a heavy toll on your quality of life. Furthermore, the infection could eventually start to spread to other parts of your body. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to a life-threatening condition known as sepsis.
It should also be noted that if you wait too long to address infected pulp, the tooth may be compromised to the point where it can no longer be saved, forcing you to have it extracted. Thus, if you want to protect yourself from the worst consequences of a tooth infection while also keeping your natural smile intact, it’s in your best interest to have a root canal treatment performed as soon as possible.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Some patients are reluctant to pursue root canal treatment because they’re afraid it will hurt. However, the procedure is actually nowhere near as painful as its reputation suggests. A local anesthetic will be used to numb your mouth, which will help you stay comfortable while your tooth is being treated. Once the procedure is complete, there may be some soreness, but you should be able to manage it with ibuprofen or a similar type of over-the-counter medication.
In short, you should never put off your root canal treatment for too long. The sooner the procedure is performed, the sooner you can find relief from your dental pain and restore your oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Dana Kim is an endodontist in Bloomfield who always treats her patients with compassion. She is a graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry, and she has been board-certified by the American Board of Endodontics. She prides herself on being able to help her patients find lasting relief from their tooth pain with comfortable root canal treatments. If you think you might be suffering from an infected tooth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim at North Jersey Endodontic Group of Bloomfield by visiting her website or calling (973) 281-4184.