Elmhurst Root Canal Dentist Explains When a Root Canal is Necessary

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Aug 23, 2011

Root canal therapy is one of the most commonly feared dental procedures among patients. Unfortunately, misconceptions and misinformation about endodontic therapy cause many patients to avoid this very necessary treatment. Many patients wrongly believe that root canal therapy will be painful and traumatic—when in reality, with modern dentistry and sedation techniques, root canal therapy is no more uncomfortable than having a regular filling. That being said, it’s obviously beneficial to avoid needing a root canal in the first place. Today I’m going to review the two dental scenarios that generally require root canal treatment. If you exhibit these common symptoms then you need to notify our Elmhurst root canal dentists immediately.

 

Dental Infection

 

One reason a patient may require a root canal is because they have a severe dental infection. We all know that bacteria and acid erosion can cause cavities that destroy dental enamel. What some patients don’t realize, however, is that if cavities are left untreated they will continue to destroy dental tissue, moving through the dental enamel to the dentin, and finally to the dental pulp, which is the material that fills in the inner space of the tooth. When bacteria infect dental pulp, patients experience pain and inflammation. Eventually, without adequate root canal therapy, this infection can cause tooth loss and jaw bone deterioration.

 

Dental Trauma


Some patients may require root canal therapy because their tooth has been traumatized, and the dental pulp is damaged. If you crack or severely fracture a tooth in an accident, for instance, the dental pulp may be damaged and become irritated. Antiquated dental fillings may also damage dental pulp as the fillings break down over time. In these cases root canal therapy, which removes damaged dental pulp, may allow you to save your tooth.


Root canal therapy is an effective treatment option that stops dental decay and saves teeth. In the case of severe dental trauma or dental pulp infection, a root canal may be a health saving measure. Give our Elmhurst root canal dentists a call if you want more information about root canal therapy—(630) 733-1624.