Root canal therapy is one of the most important dental procedures, as it allows for a natural tooth to be saved that otherwise would require removal. For those patients in Grand Rapids who are experiencing extreme tooth pain or damage, the dilemma may become whether to extract a lost cause tooth or save it. A root canal treatment in Grand Rapids can rescue a tooth from the brink of dental doom, allowing you to keep it intact rather than face possible extraction due to injury or infection. Below is an overview of how root canal therapy functions and why it is one of the most integral components of preventing tooth extraction.

What Is a Root Canal?

So what is a root canal procedure that is used to repair and save badly decayed or infected teeth? It consists of removing the inflamed or infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and cleaning and sealing in a dental chamber. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels housed in connective tissue, and if it becomes infected or inflamed, the entire tooth can be very painful. Endodontic treatment kills the infection and brings back function to the tooth while leaving a substantial amount of tooth structure intact.

Root Canal Therapy: How It Can Save Your Tooth from Extraction

Getting Rid of Infection and Pain

The most common reason for undergoing root canal treatment is to treat the compromised tooth pulp that has either been severely infected or inflamed (this is caused by deep decay, cracks, impact trauma, etc.). If not treated, this infection can then travel to the adjacent bone and soft tissue resulting in an abscess or loss of the tooth itself. During a root canal procedure, we extract the infected pulp and disinfect it, which relieves pain and prevents the infection from getting worse, requiring extraction.

Saving the Natural Tooth

Dental implants, bridges, and dentures can only do so much — a healthy tooth always beats the best replacement. Instead of extracting the tooth, root canal therapy enables the dentist to eliminate damaging tissue with the tooth remaining in its location. The tooth is then sealed, and a crown to strengthen and stabilize the tooth is often placed. Thus, you can keep on using the tooth like every other one without having to get uncomfortable and expensive procedures for extraction and replacement.

Balancing Form and Function

Teeth are important for biting, chewing, and speech, so when you lose a tooth it can affect one or all three of these functions. Tooth loss can also lead to a change if you lose teeth in your smile or the overall appearance of your face. By having root canal therapy performed, you can save your natural tooth, which means that you will be able to continue using it just like before and your smile will still look the same. You spare yourself the troubles, like misaligned teeth and chewing problems that may be caused by losing a tooth.

Avoiding Additional Difficulties

In some cases, an infected or damaged tooth can cause complications with neighboring teeth and gums. If the affected tooth is allowed to progress, it may exert pressure on neighboring teeth and cause misalignment or other oral health issues. If left untreated, the infection can spread, leading to loss of bone or necessitating more extensive dental work down the road. When root canal therapy is performed early on, it prevents these complications and saves your tooth from having to be extracted.

If you have a toothache or suspect that there is an infection, make sure to not let the damage become too severe before seeking care. Call your Grand Rapids dentist, to find out more about root canal therapy and how can it help you save your smile instead of losing a tooth!