Why Needing Root Canal Therapy Is a Serious Issue
Tooth decay can affect nearly anyone, but when patients seek treatment for it, the specific ways in which it should be addressed can often differ greatly. For instance, if you catch tooth decay before it has a chance to completely destroy your tooth enamel, you may be able to save your tooth without the need for any dental restoration. If it’s already formed a cavity in your tooth, then your dentist may recommend treating it with a tooth-colored filling. However, for more serious cases of tooth decay, the most appropriate solution is often root canal treatment, which may be the last chance you have to save the tooth from being lost or needing extraction.
Your tooth is severely decayed
If you need root canal treatment, then the fact that your tooth is severely decayed may seem obvious. However, the implications of that may not be immediately clear, especially if it’s the first time you’ve ever had to deal with tooth decay. When it’s severe, decay has reached the inner chamber of your tooth, known as the pulp. This chamber is connected to the root canal that extends into your jawbone, and together, they form the path through which nerves, blood vessels, and other vital tissues travel from your jaw to your tooth structure. When tooth decay reaches these chambers, it directly infects the tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and other vital tissues, leading to intense discomfort as well as significant risks to your oral health.
Time is no friend to your tooth’s health
In addition to knowing what severe tooth decay is, it’s just as important to know that once it gets so severe, you have a very limited time to treat the decay and save your tooth. Otherwise, the decay can erode so much of your tooth structure that restoring it is no longer possible. If it is not addressed promptly, this can leave the rest of your oral health at risk of complications due to the infection spreading beyond the tooth’s root.
Saving the tooth is better than replacing it
If your tooth is lost or has to be extracted, then replacing the tooth may be all you need to restore your smile. However, losing the tooth also has serious implications for your long-term oral health, which is why treating and preserving your healthy, natural tooth structure is typically the much better option. If you have tooth decay, then we advise seeking treatment for it as soon as possible, even it you don’t yet need root canal treatment to do so successfully.
Learn more about the need for root canal treatment
Needing root canal treatment means that your tooth is in dire straits, and hesitating could put it at even greater risk. To learn more, call our Cleveland Family Dentistry office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We also serve the residents of Kingwood, Conroe, Livingston, and all surrounding communities.