Root Canal Safety | Answers from A Dentist Near Me in North Lincoln

Root Canal Safety and Treatment

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Do you have a concern about root canal safety? Sometimes the nerve beneath a tooth becomes infected, and dentists must perform a root canal to remove an infected nerve. They do this by removing the infected nerve and using a filling to occupy the space where the nerve used to be. After removing the nerve, we’ll remove the blood supply and infection from the tooth. When we do this, we’ll leave some space behind. If any bacteria remains in this space and not all of it is removed from this area during the root canal process, the tooth can become a source of chronic infection due to remaining bacteria inside of its root space.

The main concern with root canal safety is all of the bacteria can be removed. According to the research, not all bacteria can be removed from the infected tooth.

The Links Between Root Canals and Other Diseases

Although it is not possible to completely remove all of the bacteria during a root canal, modern methods of performing root canal treatment are generally quite effective. When a root canal is performed, the tooth can often be saved for several years. It is crucial for patients to know that root canal therapy is an excellent solution for treating large cavities, and the next great alternative is the removal of teeth and placement of implants.

What is the solution for root canal safety?

It is vital to find a dentist who understands the importance of effective removal of the bacteria in order to avoid residual infection as well as carefully examining the tooth to ensure that it is eligible for root canal therapy. Some teeth have an extensive infection, which will not have a good prognosis after root canal therapy.

Which teeth are candidates for a root canal?

Teeth that are cracked, broken, or otherwise injured usually do not contain a significant amount of harmful bacteria. These types of conditions typically cause acute inflammation. We can preserve most teeth in these cases.

What about abscessed or infected teeth?

When patients have had an infected tooth for a long time, it usually results in an abscess. Root canals on teeth with large abscesses usually will not offer the patient a long-term solution. This is because it is very challenging to remove all of the harmful bacteria associated with these types of infections. The incomplete removal of bacteria can result in a chronic, low-grade infection. Many patients have a high tolerance for this type of low-grade infection. However, patients with autoimmune disorders will struggle to manage their medical conditions as a consequence of having an infected tooth. Even in healthy patients, this type of infection will add stress to the immune system and can contribute to other health conditions.

What are my options if a root canal will not work?

If your tooth does not have a good prognosis for root canal therapy, an excellent option is to take the tooth out and replace it with an implant. When teeth are removed, it is always a good idea to replace them due to the negative consequences of having missing teeth. Adjacent teeth will drift into space the extracted tooth occupied previously, causing undue stress on other teeth, impaired chewing function, and problems with gum disease and cavities. Therefore, dental bridges and dental implants are two options that are available to replace missing teeth. It is essential to be educated on these options before deciding to take teeth out.

Dental Implants –Dental implants are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth.

Dental Bridge – When someone has one or a few missing teeth, we can often place a bridge to fill the gap.

If you’re concerned about your teeth or have any questions about the root canal safety and its process, make an appointment online or give us a call!

You can also email me directly at nebraskafamilydentistry@gmail.com