Tooth Root Canal  Changing Your View Of Root Canals

For a bad tooth root canal treatment may be necessary. The abscessed tooth is a common dental emergency. The symptoms for this kind of bad tooth can include severe pain and swelling of the gums and/or jaw.

It is important to know that your dentist will need to examine you to determine what treatment may be required. Just today someone came to see me with a sensitive tooth. Root canal wasn't necessary like she thought it would be. Her tooth had a new filling and the sensitivity would be gone within a couple of days.

But when is a root canal needed?

• Tooth decay that goes into the dental pulp. Once bacteria form tooth decay have infiltrated the pulp this tissue must be removed with endodontic therapy (root canal). Although the pulp does have some capacity for healing, it cannot heal from the bacteria of tooth decay. In fact the tooth decay doesn't actually have to extend all the way into the pulp. If your dentist places a deep filling close to the pulp of your tooth root canal treatment may still become necessary.

• Trauma to your tooth. Root canal treatment is often done on teeth that were bumped in an accident years previously. The dental pulp is damaged at the time of the accident and slowly abscesses. This tooth may or may not become painful. Often the only sign that there is a root canal problem is tooth discoloration.

• Dental visit. In my 20+ years as an endodontist I've seen many patients confused about this one. They go to their dentist and have a filling placed in their tooth. Root canal treatment then becomes necessary. Every dental filling or crown procedure causes inflammation of the tooth pulp. Some of this inflammation is reversible and the pulp returns to its normal condition. However the inflammation can also be irreversible for your tooth. Root canal treatment will be necessary to remove the inflamed pulp and keep your tooth from becoming infected.

But what happens if  the pulp becomes infected and you have an abscessed tooth? Root canal treatment is the same as for the inflamed pulp. With both irreversible inflammation and pulp infection, the pulp must be removed. You will only have two options to treat this kind of bad tooth:

1. tooth extraction 
2. root canal treatment

If at all possible it is better to save your tooth with a root canal.

Isn't it better to just remove my tooth? Root canal treatment seems so expensive.

The cost for a root canal and crown is more expensive than the cost of tooth extraction. The problem is that when you have a tooth removed the adjacent and opposing teeth will shift into the space. Therefore you need to have the missing tooth replaced with a bridge or implant.

In the long run you will probably spend less money and less time in the dental office if you save your tooth. Root canal treatment is successful 95% of the time so it really is a good investment.

Aren't root canals painful? I've been asked this question many times. In fact I have a complete section in my book, The Relaxed Root Canal that answers this question.

I wrote this book to help the fearful dental patient relax for their root canal treatment. I answer over 80 of the most commonly asked questions about root canals.

In Chapter 10 I tell you the one toothache home remedy you should never try. I've seen many patients through the years the day after they tried it. It will always make your pain and swelling worse.

In Chapter 5 I give you THE ONE QUESTION YOU SHOULD  ASK YOUR DENTIST BEFORE HAVING TREATMENT ON YOUR TOOTH.

Root canal dentists who perform the best root canals will always answer this question with a YES. I'll even tell you what to do if you get a NO answer.

For more information on The Relaxed Root Canal PLEASE CLICK HERE.

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