Most individuals registering for root canal treatments are between the ages of 35 and 44. Any age or person who consumes a lot of sugar and carbohydrates is susceptible to tooth decay and dental issues.
Root canals can happen to anyone at any age. Endodontic treatments of this nature are typically necessary in two different circumstances. Either the tooth has experienced a deep infection, or it has undergone so many treatments for previous decay that the tooth is losing its structural integrity.
Teeth that receive a root canal and then a filling and crown last about 20 years. Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last about 11 years. Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal last about 6.5 years.
Myth: Treatment is Painful
Recovery times are just a few days and any post-appointment discomfort is minimal. Root canals are common procedures with over 14 million performed every year.
Your dentist may recommend a root canal when your tooth shows signs of infection or significant pulpal nerve damage. When a tooth is cracked or has a significant cavity, bacteria is able to enter the pulp, and if left untreated, can lead to serious infection, bone loss, or the loss of the tooth itself.
In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
The dentist will determine the need for a root canal through one or several of the following methods: x-rays, the cavity test, selective anesthesia (to identify where the source of pain is when the patient doesn't know), thermal and electric testing, or by tapping on the problem tooth.
An untreated root canal can not only result in bone loss and infection but can also result in an acute abscess. An abscess is the formation of pus on the infected tissue or the area of decay. Some of the symptoms of an acute abscess include unbearable pain, swelling and fever.
If the infection has seeped into the tooth's pulp, then root canal therapy becomes unavoidable. On the contrary, fillings can be used instead of a root canal if the tooth has a smaller cavity or a minor decay, which has not yet reached the pulp.
Because a tooth that needs a root canal usually has a large filling or is weakened from extensive decay, a crown or other restoration usually needs to be placed on it. A crown can help protect the tooth from future damage and return it to normal function.
In the end, it all depends on the tooth
If the tooth is in good condition after a root canal, the dentist may opt to fill it and leave it be, especially if it is a front tooth. In almost all cases, the dentist will recommend that a crown be placed on a molar whose dental pulp has been removed.
What causes a root canal? It is a common misconception that poor oral hygiene is the root of all teeth problems. While this may be a trigger for a root canal procedure, poor oral health is only one type of cause of root canals.
There's no need to be worried if your dentist or endodontist prescribes a root canal procedure to treat a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again.
Although any tooth can have decay form and need a root canal, the back molars are the most common teeth to need root canals.
The tooth cannot heal on its own and therefore requires a root canal to properly heal. Even if the patient no longer feels pain, the infection will still be present in the tooth. If the infection is not treated, the infection can spread to your brain, jaw, blood, and your body.
A good oral hygiene routine is the best way to avoid a root canal. This means flossing, brushing twice daily, and getting a regular dental cleaning. But there's even more you can do to protect your teeth since other dental emergencies, such as tooth fractures, also might require root canals.
In short, when you need a root canal, it may feel like throbbing pain due to infection inside of the root of your tooth. A visible fistula, swelling, or temperature sensitivity might be present. Bacteria can also lead to foul-tasting drainage along the gum tissue near your root.
If you wait to have a root canal, you're only providing that infection more time to gain strength and spread. Infection can spread from the tooth into the bloodstream, and then you have a much more serious issue than a common and routine dental practice.
Root canals are considered to be the most painful because they require removing the nerve tissue on a tooth's root. The removal of the nerve tissue is not only excruciatingly painful but also commonly leads to infection.
What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract.
The root canal procedure is completed in two separate visits to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, sealed up, and protected from further damage.
You will remain awake and conscious throughout the root canal but will feel very relaxed. Another common option, conscious oral sedation, is a prescribed sedative pill that you will take before your appointment. It will help you to greatly relax during your procedure.