Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Tooth decay and periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Once one tooth has been lost, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift, leading to additional tooth loss. Preserving a natural tooth helps to keep surrounding teeth in position and is the primary benefit of root canal therapy.

A root canal is a treatment for removing infection from the root of a decayed tooth. Infection may set in for a number of reasons, including tooth decay, periodontal disease, and a crack or chip in the tooth that traps infection inside.

Although a tooth’s outer surface (enamel) is hard, the underlying structure of the tooth is composed of soft tissue. The pulp of the tooth is made up of nerves, blood vessels and other tissues that feed the tooth during development. Once the tooth erupts, the nerves provide sensory information, such as heat and cold response. This pulp can become inflamed with infection, and in some cases becomes too damaged to save.

In a root canal treatment, the infected pulp of the tooth is irrigated and removed, leaving behind the outer surfaces of the tooth. This tooth is often crowned to give it greater strength. The tooth will have no nerves or blood vessels to sustain it, but it will stay in place and provide structural support to surrounding teeth.

Because a root canal allows you to preserve your existing tooth, the surrounding teeth are less likely to shift in position or become loose. Additionally, the tooth will function as normal for chewing and biting. In this way, a root canal can be the least invasive and most effective solution for preserving your natural teeth.

If you are interested in learning more about root canal therapy or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fife, contact us today!