There are probably few people who believe root canal therapy has benefits, because it has always gotten such a bad rap. This may be due to the fact that decades ago, there were no local anesthetics. However, today root canal therapy isn’t usually any more painful than getting a dental filling, and there are several benefits to getting a root canal.
Why Root Canals Are Actually Good
Root canals were developed to save teeth and they do a good job doing that. In fact, they have an over 95 percent success rate, similar to implants. Before root canals, for severely damaged teeth, teeth that were severely decayed to the point that the pulp was infected, or teeth with even a hairline crack or fracture through which bacteria invaded the pulp causing a painful infection, extraction was the go-to treatment. However, extracting a tooth can open up a can of worms, so to speak.
Once A Tooth Has Been Extracted
Once a tooth has been extracted, if it’s not replaced in a timely fashion, it can lead to further tooth loss. It may seem as if the crown of your tooth is the most important part, but the root of your tooth is what helps to keep your jawbone strong and healthy. When you bite and chew, the pressure on the root stimulates a flow of nutrients to your jawbone. When the root is no longer in place, there is no longer that stimulation and, therefore, the flow of nutrients ceases. Without those much-needed nutrients, your jawbone begins to atrophy, shrink, and become weak in that area. This can lead to further tooth loss. Saving the tooth via a root canal prevents this from happening.
The crown of the tooth is also important because it helps chew, and keep all the other teeth in place. If your tooth is missing, the other teeth try to fill the space by shifting and leaning, causing dental misalignment, and even with just one crown missing it can be difficult to chew.
Do You Need A Root Canal?
Root canals help you avoid other more serious dental problems. If you think you may need a root canal, or have questions about root canals, schedule a consultation with Dr. Huffstutler in Fort Worth, TX, today by calling 817-918-3038.