Root canals are one of the most common dental surgeries, but they have a reputation as one of the most unpleasant. If your dentist has recommended a root canal, you might be wondering what happens if you just skip the appointment. Even if there’s no pain now, the infection will continue to fester until it’s removed, and it’s better to do it now than later.
At Trident Dental in Houston, Texas, our experienced dental team can take care of your root canal in just one or two visits, and restore your tooth so you don’t have to worry about losing it anytime soon.
The purpose of root canals
Cracks, cavities, faulty fillings, and deep decay can sometimes allow bacteria to enter your tooth, infecting the pulp inside. The soft pulp of your tooth consists mostly of blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves, making it susceptible to infection.
The purpose of a root canal is to remove the infected pulp, clean the inside of your tooth root, and seal it back up. This not only allows you to keep your tooth, it helps prevent future infections from occurring.
Chances are, you probably don’t know exactly what happens during a root canal, just that they’re supposedly a hassle. A root canal procedure is a surgery, takes longer than a filling or cleaning, and may require multiple appointments.
However, a single root canal can help you keep your tooth. If you lose the tooth, the dental implant surgery to replace that missing tooth is far more expensive and intense.
What happens if you don’t get a root canal
We’ve all wondered what would happen if we just waited out a toothache, but the answer is never good. Once the pulp chamber is infected, the bacteria inside continue to multiply. This causes decayed tissue to build up inside your tooth, leading to an abscess — or pocket of pus.
An abscessed tooth can cause sharp, throbbing pain, along with sore gums, mouth odor, and a bad taste in your mouth. If the abscess forms close to your gumline, you might be able to see a pimple-like bump and press out some pus.
Even if your infected tooth doesn’t form an abscess, the infection is still there. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of your body, including your jaw, head, and neck.
Whatever pain you might be avoiding by skipping a root canal won’t compare to the pain of an abscess, deep infection, and the loss of your tooth.
If you still have reservations about your root canal procedure, learning more can help settle your concerns. Contact our office at 281-975-4942, or request an appointment using our online system today.