4 Reasons That A Dentist Might Recommend A Root Canal

Herrick Dental | 08/23/13

Root canal therapy is a typical dental procedure that many people will experience sometime during their life. Due to many fears and myths about root canals, most people have questions and concerns about the procedure before having it performed. The most common question that people have revolves around understanding why root canals are recommended.  Here are four reasons that your dentist may recommend the procedure:

Decay or fractures have damaged the nerve of the tooth.

Once the inner nerve tissue of your tooth is exposed to decay or external elements, it can cause severe infections (abscesses), pain, and death or loss of the tooth. By removing the diseased or damaged tissue and filling the nerve chamber with a preventive material, the tooth can be saved.

You had previous trauma to the tooth.

Accidental tooth trauma can take years to exhibit symptoms if there was dental damage. Many adults find that a tooth that was hit during a childhood softball game or car accident can develop deep discolorations decades later.

You have an abscess at the root of the tooth.

Dental abscesses indicate that the tooth is no longer vital. If left untreated, abscesses can damage adjacent teeth or risk spreading infection to other areas of your body, such as the brain.

You are replacing a very large filling or cavity with a crown.

If you are having a crown placed, a certain amount of healthy tooth enamel is needed to support the crown. The enamel must also be adjusted for support. If not enough healthy enamel is present during the preparation a root canal will seal off the nerve chamber from risk of infection or sensitivity.

Drs. Herrick and Hoffner can put your root canal anxieties aside. Our Columbus, Ohio dental office provides on-site endodontic therapy with a gentle, attentive touch.

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