How Long Does a Root Canal Last?

When a tooth has a severe infection or a damaged root, sometimes the best treatment procedure is a root canal. Despite their reputation, root canals are a safe and largely painless procedure thanks to modern dental practices and anesthesia. Do you need root canal treatment and are wondering how long it will last?

With proper care and good crown coverage on the tooth, a root canal treated tooth may last you a lifetime and you may not need additional treatment. Here are the top factors and other things to consider that will impact the effectiveness and longevity of your root canal treatment:

What factors affect the lifespan of a tooth after a root canal?

The goal of a root canal treatment is to excavate infected pulp, purulence, and other infectious substances in order to preserve as much of your original tooth as possible. As a result, there are several different factors to consider that can impact the overall effectiveness of your root canal treatment, including:

Compounding teeth and gum issues. Are your teeth chipped, broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged? Do you have gum issues a root canal can’t treat? While a root canal can treat certain teeth problems, its effectiveness will be reduced if there are other oral health issues that go untreated.
How old you are. Just like the rest of the body, teeth can wear with time and must be used appropriately. Avoiding hard foods that require significant chewing is important to maintaining the structural integrity of a root canal-treated tooth.
Location. Front teeth that don’t have to provide as much chewing and bite force are at much less of a risk of fracturing than back teeth. Root canals are a good way to save back teeth, including molars, but these teeth must be protected with a crown and avoiding tooth clenching or grinding (often requires the use of a nightguard) will help lengthen the life of these teeth.
Severity of infection. The earlier you catch a tooth infection, the easier it will be to treat. Furthermore, less severe infections that get treated usually result in a treatment that has a higher rate of healing compared to a tooth with a long-standing infection. Keep an eye out for the top signs that may indicate you need a root canal treatment.

How can I extend the lifespan of a tooth after a root canal?

Proper oral hygiene is the best way to extend the lifespan of your tooth after root canal treatment. Make sure you do the following to maximize the effectiveness of treatment:

Follow all instructions from your endodontist after a root canal
Brush at least twice daily
Floss at least once a day
Use mouthwash at least once a day
Consume a healthy and balanced diet
Reduce your consumption of sugary and acidic foods
Avoid tobacco, smoking, and similar carcinogenic substances

Do I need a dental crown after a root canal?

In order to save your tooth, most root canal treatments involve drilling through the top of your tooth to get at the infection inside. In some instances, your endodontist may recommend seeing a dentist for a dental crown after treatment, especially for teeth that have been greatly weakened from decay.

Just like a root canal, a dental crown typically lasts 10 to 15 years, though with proper oral care they can last much longer such as 20 or even 30 years. This dental cap is placed on the top, or the crown, of your tooth to cover up the exposed portions inside, which is why it is often paired with root canal treatments. Be sure to consult your endodontist if you need a dental crown as a follow up to your root canal treatment.

Get root canal treatment from Heart Of Texas Endodontics

Looking for an experienced endodontist in or near Temple, Texas? For professional root canals and other endodontic treatments, including root canal therapy, check out Heart of Texas Endodontics. With over 20 years of practice, our experienced team of endodontics have performed over 20,000 root canals. We use state-of-the-art technology combined with best sedation practices for effective and painless treatment to save our patient’s natural teeth.
So if you want to schedule an appointment or learn more about our effective and long-lasting root canal treatment, make sure to contact us at Heart of Texas Endodontics.

How Long Can You Go Without Getting A Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is a standard dental procedure typically recommended when the inside of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed. While this treatment can be highly effective in saving a damaged tooth, many patients may wonder if they can afford to wait before seeking care.

Delaying root canal treatment can have both risks and benefits, and it is vital to understand the potential consequences before making a decision. In this article, we'll explore the factors that may influence your decision to wait or not to wait, including the severity of your symptoms, the risk of complications, and the potential impact on your overall oral health.

Whether you're dealing with a painful toothache or simply trying to make an informed decision about your dental care, this guide will help you weigh your options and make the best choice for your individual needs.

Signs and Symptoms that Indicate the Need for a Root Canal

A root canal is necessary when the soft tissue inside the tooth, known as the pulp, becomes infected or inflamed. The following signs and symptoms may indicate the need for a root canal:

Severe toothache that does not go away with painkillers
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
Swelling around the affected tooth
Discoloration of the tooth
Pain when biting or chewing
Pus or drainage from the affected tooth

If you experience these symptoms, see a dentist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can lead to complications such as abscesses, bone loss, and even systemic infections.

The Risks of Delaying Root Canal Treatment

Delaying root canal treatment can have serious consequences for your oral health. If the infection spreads beyond the root of the tooth, it can lead to abscesses, which are pockets of pus that form around the tooth. Abscesses can cause severe pain, swelling, and even fever. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone and tissue, causing bone loss and even systemic infections.

In addition to the health risks, delaying root canal treatment can also lead to more expensive and complex dental procedures down the line. For example, if a tooth becomes too damaged to be saved by a root canal, it may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant or bridge.

The Benefits of Timely Root Canal Treatment

Timely root canal treatment can help save your natural tooth and prevent more invasive dental procedures. The procedure involves removing the infected or inflamed pulp from the tooth and filling the space with a special material to prevent further infection. After the root canal, the tooth is usually covered with a crown to protect it from further damage.

Root canal treatment has a high success rate; most people experience little to no pain during the procedure. In fact, many people report feeling relief from their toothache immediately after the root canal.

Understanding the Root Canal Procedure

The root canal procedure typically involves the following steps:

Local anesthesia is administered to numb the affected tooth and surrounding area.
The dentist creates a small hole in the top of the tooth to access the pulp.
The infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth using specialized tools.
The inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for filling.
The tooth is filled with a special material to prevent further infection.
A temporary filling is placed over the hole in the tooth.
A permanent crown or filling is placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage.

The entire procedure usually takes one or two appointments, depending on the complexity of the case.

Common Myths About Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment has a bad reputation, but many of the common myths about the procedure are simply not true. Here are some of the most common myths about root canal treatment:

Myth: Root canals are painful.

Fact: Modern root canal treatment is usually painless, thanks to local anesthesia and advanced techniques.

Myth: Root canals cause illness.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that root canals can cause systemic illness.

Myth: It is better to extract the tooth than to have a root canal.

Fact: Saving the natural tooth is almost always the best option, as it helps to preserve the surrounding bone and tissue.

Aftercare and Tips for a Successful Recovery

After the root canal procedure, it is normal to experience some mild discomfort and sensitivity. You may also need to avoid chewing on the affected tooth for a few days. To promote healing and prevent further infection, follow your dentist's aftercare instructions. This may include:

Taking painkillers as prescribed
Avoiding hard or crunchy foods
Brushing and flossing regularly
Attending follow-up appointments with your dentist

With proper aftercare, most people can resume their normal activities within a few days of the procedure.

Root Canal Treatment in Temple, TX

Delaying root canal treatment often poses serious consequences for your oral health. If you are experiencing symptoms such as severe toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, or swelling around the affected tooth, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Timely root canal treatment can help to save your natural tooth and prevent more invasive dental procedures down the line. If you have any questions or concerns about root canal treatment, contact us at 254-778-4400.

3 Signs You Need a Root Canal

Do you need a root canal? This routine dental procedure is used to restore the health of a damaged or infected tooth. It is one of the most common restorative treatments in dentistry, performed by both dentists and endodontists.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal treats the dental pulp, the soft tissue on the inside of your tooth containing blood vessels and nerves that sustain your tooth. The dental pulp helps your tooth develop. Once the tooth is fully mature, the pulp continues to sustain the lifelong health of the tooth–but it is susceptible to infection.

If a tooth is infected or at risk of infection, a root canal can often save the tooth. The process involves removing the dental pulp, cleaning out the root canal, and filling the tooth with a biocompatible material that is resistant to infection. In most cases a crown will be placed over the tooth after a root canal to protect the remaining tooth material.

Need a Root Canal? Look for These 3 Signs

The following signs and symptoms indicate that a root canal could be needed:

Severe Toothache. The most common sign of an infected tooth is a severe toothache. The pain from an infected tooth will sometimes come and go but it may also throb constantly. If you have pain coming from a certain area of your mouth, you should seek dental care. Getting treatment for an infected tooth as soon as possible could mean your tooth can be saved.

Discolored Tooth. If you have a single tooth that looks gray or brown compared to your other teeth, it may need a root canal. The discoloration from inside the tooth is often an indication that the dental pulp has been compromised and there has been bleeding inside the tooth. The tooth may need a root canal to clean out the damaged pulp and restore the natural color of the tooth.

Cracked, Broken, or Severely Decayed Tooth. If a tooth is damaged in some way, it is at risk of infection. A crack, a deep cavity, or a chipped or broken tooth can expose the dentin, the soft porous layer under the enamel. This may allow bacteria to invade the root canal and infect the dental pulp. A root canal performed at the right time can prevent infection and save the tooth. A crown may need to be placed over the remaining tooth material to protect the root.

Benefits of a Root Canal

Root canal therapy offers many benefits:

Save the natural tooth. A root canal can often save a damaged tooth. If there is enough healthy tooth material left, the damaged portion can be removed and the tooth can be filled and fortified. The natural root can stay in place to support the tooth and crown. The tooth looks and functions normally.
Avoid costly replacement. By saving the natural tooth you can avoid the cost of a replacement tooth, such as a bridge or dental implant.
Treat or prevent pain. A root canal can put an end to a toothache or prevent uncomfortable pain from an infected tooth.
Prevents infection from spreading. Treating a tooth with a root canal at the first sign of infection can prevent it from spreading to the neighboring teeth.

Think You Need a Root Canal?

If you have one or more of these common symptoms, you may need a root canal. Heart of Texas Endodontics provides root canal treatment among other endodontic services. Our number one goal is to save your teeth, if possible, with the right procedures at the right time. We have the expertise and technology to perform a thorough root canal so that is successful the first time in most cases.

Call 254-778-4400 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.