Also known as endodontic treatment, root canal therapy is often misunderstood by patients who have never undergone the procedure. Because the process involves carefully cleaning out and restoring the inner chamber of your tooth, which houses the nerves and tissues, it can sound discomforting. However, modern root canal treatment is often much more comfortable and convenient than patients expect. In addition, it can also relieve the severe discomfort that patients experience when dealing with severe tooth infection. Today, we examine a few things you should know about root canal treatment, and why it may be necessary for saving your smile.

It’s too late for a tooth filling.

When tooth decay is detected early enough, it can often be treated by cleaning out the cavity in your tooth’s structure and restoring it with a custom tooth filling. If your dentist recommends root canal treatment, then it means that your tooth’s decay has progressed enough to reach the tooth’s pulp chamber, making it too extensive for a filling to address.

You can still save your tooth.

When decay reaches your tooth pulp, it can quickly travel through the root canal that’s connected to the chamber. The root of your tooth extends into your jawbone, allowing it to send nutrients through the canal and into your tooth’s pulp. Once internal decay becomes too severe, your dentist may have to extract the tooth to remove the threat the rest of your oral health. However, in many cases, root canal treatment can stop the decay before it becomes that severe.

The treatment may fail.

When it isn’t performed properly, or if the restoration isn’t care for, then root canal treatment may fail and expose the tooth to more extensive infection. At our office, we utilize advanced endodontic experience and technology to provide highly precise treatment with optimal results to reduce the risks of failure. We can also perform root canal retreatment for patients who experience a failed restoration to help them avoid having to extract the tooth.

Find Out if Root Canal Treatment Is Necessary

Root canal treatment, or endodontic treatment, may be necessary to remove an infection from within your tooth and save the rest of your oral health. To learn more, schedule an examination with your dentist by calling Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury, MA, today at 508-842-8838.