How often do root canals get infected?
Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures in the United States. In fact, an estimated 15 million root canals are performed every year.
Despite their prevalence, many people don't understand what a root canal is or why it's necessary. Many people ask us how often root canals get infected. We also get many questions about how a root canal can become infected in the first place, which is what brings people to Granbury Endodontics.
This blog post will provide an overview of where the root canal is located in the tooth and explain why it can become infected. We'll also discuss the benefits of getting a root canal and why you shouldn't wait to treat a root canal infection. Finally, we'll talk about how we handle root canal therapy at our practice here at Granbury Endodontics and how we can help you if you need a root canal procedure.
What is the root canal and where is it located?
When using the word "root canal", things can sometimes get confusing because the root canal is both a part of the tooth and the procedure that removes infected tissue from the tooth.
The root canal is located in the center of the tooth. It contains the pulp, which is a network of blood vessels and nerves. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth (the part that's visible above the gum line) to the root end, where it connects to the jawbone.
The root canal is also surrounded by dentin, a hard, bone-like material. The pulp is important for the development of the tooth, but once the tooth is fully developed, it isn't necessary. That's why your endodontist can safely remove it to relieve pain and save your tooth so that you don't have to have your tooth removed.
Why does the root canal become infected in the first place?
The root canal can become infected for a number of reasons. The most common cause of infection is bacteria that enters the tooth through a cavity or crack. An untreated cavity that continues to decay will often lead to an infected root canal. A crack could've occurred anywhere from eating something that damaged the tooth to a sports injury. This is why it's important to see a dentist regularly as she or he will be able to notice these things early on and help you prevent them.
Once bacteria enter the pulp, they can multiply and cause an infection. An infection in the root canal can lead to pain, swelling, and inflammation. If left untreated, an infected root canal can cause the tooth to fall out. That's why you need to see an endodontist as soon as possible because losing a tooth is the worst thing that can happen, and it's completely preventable!
How often do root canals get infected?
According to the American Association of Endodontists, more than 15 million teeth are saved each year through root canal procedures. Though we can't estimate just how often root canals get infected, we can use the data of how many procedures are performed to get a good idea about how often they get infected and how critical it is to have a board-certified endodontist perform the root canal procedure.
Dr. Nieves is Granbury's board-certified endodontist and is always working to make sure his patients have the best care possible when it comes to an infected root canal. The procedure we perform most often at Granbury Endodontics is the root canal therapy procedure, and we'll discuss that a bit more in the next section.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is a treatment used to save a tooth that has been infected. During the procedure, the endodontist removes the infected pulp from the root canal. The root canal is then cleaned and sealed. Root canal therapy can be performed using traditional methods or with GentleWave, a new technology that provides a more effective and efficient cleaning of the root canal. We use the GentleWave technology often at Granbury Endodontics for a few reasons:
It's less invasive for our patients.
It's more successful at cleaning out the infected root canal.
It's been shown to prevent having to have a retreatment of the root canal procedure later down the line.
The overall success rate of root canal therapy is estimated to be between 85% and 95%. There are many factors that go into this estimate, but the #1 reason patients have to return for a retreatment is because of poor dental hygiene at home. Therefore, it's critical that our patients follow the instructions and be diligent about dental care at home and by seeing their dentists regularly.
What are the benefits of getting a root canal?
There are many benefits of getting a root canal. The number one benefit of getting a root canal is saving your tooth rather than letting it decay further to the point where your tooth would need to be extracted. The second most important benefit is relieving pain in your mouth, which is probably the first thing you noticed when realizing that you needed to come see Dr. Nieves!
The final thing we'll note is that root canal therapy is also less expensive than tooth replacement options, such as dental implants. With dental implants, you are looking at more complications and potentially more costs associated with the procedure and later maintenance. It's always just better (and much less of a hassle) to get a root canal procedure and save your tooth rather than having to extract the truth and install an implant in your mouth.
What happens if I don't get a root canal?
If you think you may need a root canal, don't wait to seek treatment. An infected root canal can cause serious damage to your tooth and jawbone. If you experience pain or swelling in your mouth, see your dentist as soon as possible or contact our office to get a consultation with Dr. Nieves.
If you don't get a root canal, as mentioned above, you're usually looking at having to have a severely infected tooth that will need to be extracted at some point. Plus, you'll have to live with increasing pain as the tooth continues to decay.
At Granbury Endodontics, we provide expert root canal therapy using the latest technology in endodontics. Our goal is to save your tooth and relieve your pain. If you're experiencing dental pain, don't wait to seek treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.