Although the root canal dental procedure sometimes gets a bad rap, it’s one of the most common and effective ways to save a severely decayed or infected tooth. Rather than removing the tooth entirely, a root canal removes the damaged pulp inside, relieves pain, and helps preserve your natural smile.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of root canal treatment and the benefits of choosing a root canal rather than an extraction.
What Is a Root Canal Dental Procedure?
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected pulp and nerves from a decaying or damaged tooth. The dentist drills a hole down the top of the tooth that remains and, using special tools, cleans out the pulp chamber, making it bacteria-free. The dentist then seals the empty chamber to prevent further damage or infection. A well-done root canal will enable you to chew, bite, and function normally without pain or the potential of the infection returning.
Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When the pulp inside a tooth becomes damaged — whether from deep decay, a crack, or trauma — it starts to break down, and bacteria grows. Over time, this buildup of bacteria and decaying tissue can lead to an infection or even an abscess, a pocket of pus that forms at the tip of the tooth’s root. If the infection spreads past the root, it can become more serious. Sometimes, a tooth infection can also lead to:
- Swelling: Some swelling that can spread to the face, neck, or head.
- Bone Loss: You might experience bone loss around the tooth’s root, which could lead to an extraction.
- Drainage: Drainage from the root can cause a hole in the side of the tooth that drains into the gums or even through the cheek and out through the skin.
That’s why the pulp needs to be removed. It stops the infection in the decaying or damaged tooth and helps save it before the damage becomes more serious.
The Root Canal Procedure
The root canal procedure takes only a few easy steps and commonly takes one or two visits:
- Numbing Agent: Your dentist will numb the tooth with local anesthesia. This will prevent pain during the root canal.
- Small Tooth Opening: An opening is made on the top of the tooth so the dentist can see the infected or damaged pulp inside.
- Cleaning Infected Pulp: The dentist uses small tools to remove the pulp, nerves, and bacteria inside the tooth’s canals. The space is then cleaned and shaped.
- Sealing: Once the canals are clean, they’re filled with a rubber-like gutta-percha material to prevent further infection.
- Restoring: First, the dentist will place a temporary filling. Later, a permanent crown will be placed over the tooth.
Once these steps are complete, your tooth is protected, functional, and no longer a source of pain or infection.
The Pros and Cons of a Root Canal Procedure
Getting a root canal for a painful, decaying tooth has many pros and cons. Before deciding if it’s the right choice for you, here are some key points to consider:
Pros of a Root Canal:
- Saves Your Natural Tooth: A root canal allows you to keep your original tooth instead of pulling it.
- Relieves Pain: Most patients get fast pain relief once the infection is removed.
- Stops the Infection from Spreading: Cleaning the pulp prevents bacteria from moving to other teeth or into the jaw.
- Restores Normal Function: The tooth can chew and bite after a crown is placed.
Other benefits include improved appearance; a crown can restore the natural look of a damaged or discolored tooth. It also offers long-lasting results with reasonable care; a tooth with a root canal can remain healthy and functional for the rest of your life.
Cons of a Root Canal:
For some patients, a root canal isn’t the right treatment option. Here are a few things to consider regarding the downside of getting a root canal:
- Expense: Root canals can be expensive, especially if you don’t have dental insurance.
- Time: The procedure often takes more than one visit, plus additional time if a crown is needed.
- Inconsistent Outcomes: In rare cases, the tooth may become reinfected and need retreatment or extraction.
- Brittle Tooth: After a root canal, the tooth no longer has living pulp and can be more prone to cracking without a crown.
On balance, a root canal treatment is a highly safe procedure that eliminates pain from an infected tooth and allows you to start eating again.
Root Canal Recovery
After your root canal, your mouth will likely stay numb for a few hours. Most people can return to work, school, or their routine the same day, though it’s a good idea to wait until the numbness wears off before eating.
It’s normal to feel some sensitivity for a few days afterward, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Most pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
It’s best to avoid chewing on that side until your treatment is fully complete, meaning the tooth has a permanent filling or crown. That helps protect the area and reduces the risk of cracking the tooth before it’s fully restored.
You can brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash as usual. Just keep up with your regular dental checkups to ensure everything’s healing.
Root Canal Services in Denver
Are you searching for Goshen, Fort Wayne, or Warsaw root canal services? Trusted Dentistry provides root canals for all types of injuries or infections. You can easily contact us for a free assessment and an appointment. Call us at 833-287-8783 if you have a dental emergency, such as a toothache. Trusted Dentistry is here to help with all your dental needs.