Do You Know This Superhero?
We repeatedly stress the importance of routine dental care and being diligent about receiving the dental treatments we recommend. Our goal is for you to have optimal health throughout your life. Although we would love for all of our patients to have perfect teeth with no issues, that is not realistic. However, when we are able to detect problems in the mouth early and perform treatment immediately to remedy the situation, it is ideal. When problems in the mouth continue to progress, the likelihood of needing more in-depth treatments is inevitable until an extraction is needed. There is one common treatment that we use as a last resort to save your natural tooth. Read on to learn more about this common treatment that often gets a bad reputation.
Why Would We Recommend a Root Canal?
Unfortunately, dental issues such as decay will continue to progress and worsen until you get them treated. The longer you postpone treatment, the greater the chance you will need a more advanced treatment. For example, if a cavity continues to grow and expand, the next course of action will be a dental crown. When the decay reaches the root of the tooth, we will then recommend a root canal. A root canal can be thought of as a “superhero” treatment because it is the last resort to save your natural tooth root. Not only can a root canal be used to restore a severely decayed tooth and tooth root, but it may also be recommended after trauma to the mouth.
What to Know About Treatment
For years, patients have been intimidated by a root canal procedure. This is often due to the way this treatment is depicted on television. In reality, a root canal is similar to a filling, just a bit more involved. A root canal procedure involves opening the tooth, removing the infected pulp, thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the root canal system, inserting a filling into the tooth root, and then sealing the area. The treatment is usually completed with a dental crown to replace the natural tooth structure.
If you are experiencing discomfort in your mouth, or we recommend a root canal or other type of treatment, be sure to contact our office, which is located in Phoenix, AZ, to schedule an appointment. Delaying a root canal, or any treatment for that matter, can lead to serious oral health complications and the need for additional measures, such as a tooth extraction. We want to help get your oral health back on track!
