No one likes hearing they need a root canal. If there is any good news to hearing it, then it’s this: root canal procedures at Cascade Endodontics in Orem UT can save a tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted, and root canals have a high degree of success.
The success rate for root canal therapy, in fact, is as high as ninety-eight percent. But cleaning out a tooth’s canals can be tricky and there are never any guarantees. Several factors can affect root canal success.
Root Canal Variables
A root canal, remember, involves removing infected soft tissue from the inside of the tooth. Once it has been removed the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Some of the variables involved are:
- Early treatment. Like virtually any health care issue, the sooner an infected tooth is treated, the better. When treatment is delayed the infection can actually advance beyond the pulp, increating the chances of a re-infection. (That’s just another reason to have regular checkups!)
- Complications. Not all teeth are created equal. Front teeth have single roots and canals and are easier to treat. Molars typically have three canals, and sometimes even a fourth. These canals can branch out at an angle that is difficult to reach, even with advanced dental tools. Odd angles don’t happen very often, but they can be problematic when they do.
- Age. Older teeth tend to be more brittle than younger teeth. That makes them more likely to fracture, even by something as simple as chewing. This can result in re-infection, on a tooth that has had a root canal. A crown over a treated tooth can help, as well as a post with a bonded composite buildup to strengthen it.
Even so, root canal treatment may still be advisable. Preserving a decayed tooth is almost always preferable to extraction. At Cascade Endodontics in Orem UT we specialize in root canal therapy. Please call us to schedule an appointment today!
Jon Jenson DDS