Root canals do not cause pain: in fact, they relieve it. But sometimes an infected tooth doesn’t give the patient any pain. When that happens, patients may wonder if the procedure is really necessary. At Cascade Endodontics in Orem, our answer is yes.
Infected teeth don’t usually stop hurting, but it does happen sometimes. When it does, do not let yourself be fooled by a false sense of security. The pain may have stopped, but the infection is still there.
Saving The Tooth
Root canal therapy is a way of treating the infection and saving the tooth. The only other choices, in fact, are not desirable: allowing the tooth to fall out on its own, which it will, or having it extracted.
In each case, you’ll be left with a gap in your smile. Even if you think you can live with that, there are additional consequences. The teeth neighboring that new gap will begin to will begin to shift out of position. And this, in turn, can affect your ability to chew.
Misaligned teeth are also more susceptible to decay, because they are harder to keep clean. This can also result in gum disease.
The Best Alternative
Your best bet is to go ahead with root canal therapy. This treats the inside of the tooth, where the infection is. The infected tissue is removed and the remaining area is disinfected.
Root canals may seem scary, but they shouldn’t. The pain is minimal and can be managed. Moreover, the alternative is a lot worse.
At Cascade Endodontics in Orem we have performed many root canals. They are safe and effective, and should not be painful. Please call our office to schedule an appointment today!
Jon Jenson DDS