This three-part article series takes an in-depth look at root canal therapy; what it involves, what patients can expect and how it can help save an infected tooth from requiring extraction.
In our previous article post, courtesy of this Dentist in Colorado Springs, we began answering some of the questions frequently asked about root canal therapy. “What does the procedure involve?” and “How does one know if they require root canal therapy?” were common concerns addressed in Part 2. In this article, the final installment of a three-part series, the dentist in Colorado Springs shall address three last FAQs, beginning with a look at how this procedure can save patients from requiring dental implants.
FAQ 6: If a tooth is damaged or decayed, why not just have dental implants placed?
Answer: In spite of the incredibly advanced dental implants products and placement protocol available today, no degree of sophistication in modern technology can rival your body’s own equipment. While dental implants offer a comprehensive and unrivalled replacement solution for single and multiple missing teeth, they simply aren’t as good as your own natural teeth, says the dentist in Colorado Springs. For this reason, it is always a dentist’s priority to try and preserve a patient’s original teeth over and above replacing them with dental implants. When root canal therapy is done properly, the affected tooth does not die; it receives all the support it needs from the surrounding tissue in the mouth and can last just as long as any other tooth, explains the dentist in Colorado Springs.
FAQ 7: Is there a chance that root canal therapy will fail?
Answer: As with any medical procedure, there is always a risk of failure and in this case, failure would be defined as infection setting in post-operatively. Having said this, if performed by a skilled, qualified and experienced dentist in Colorado Springs, a root canal has a minimal chance of failure. Patients should take good care to follow the post-procedural instructions provided to them as this will allow the restored tooth the chance to heal properly.
FAQ 8: What post-operative care is required once I’ve had root canal therapy?
Answer: In the first few days following a root canal procedure, patients can expect the restored tooth to be a little sensitive, especially if there was pain and infection present prior to the treatment. Any pain and discomfort, however, can quite easily be managed with analgesics, which will be prescribed to the patient, says the dentist in Colorado Springs. Until your tooth crown has been fully restored, there is an increased risk of fracture and subsequent failure. As such, the entire root canal procedure, from the elimination of infection to the full tooth restoration, should be completed by the dentist in Colorado Springs in a timely manner.
A Final Note from the Dentist in Colorado Springs
If performed in time, says the dentist in Colorado Springs, root canal therapy can be done to save an infected or severely damaged tooth from the need to be extracted. This in turn saves patients the expenses associated with having dental implants placed. Just remember: you should never ignore an oral complaint or dental pain. Tooth loss can start with something as seemingly harmless as a surface cavity. Make sure you visit the dentist in Colorado Springs once every six months and schedule an appointment immediately should you ever suspect your oral health to be at risk!