It would be a pretty rare person who was looking forward to having a root canal treatment, even though the procedure should be no worse than having a normal dental filling. Some people may even consider skipping this procedure altogether, although an infected tooth can be extremely painful. If you are thinking of ignoring the pain and skipping your root canal procedure then read on to find out what could happen, as an infected tooth can cause serious problems.
What Is a Root Canal Procedure?
Most people need a root canal procedure to deal with an infected tooth. This treatment involves removing the infected pulp in the center of the tooth, and cleaning out the root canals to get rid of bacteria. If the infection is particularly severe, your dentist may place a temporary filling and treatment will be completed during another appointment. Once the root canals have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, the pulp chamber and root canals are permanently filled and sealed.
What Would Happen If I Didn’t Have Root Canal Treatment?
- The biggest issue with ignoring this type of infection is that it can spread to other parts of your mouth. The bacteria could infect additional teeth and your gums, as well as your jawbone and other tissues in your mouth. This type of infection can cause severe pain and swelling.
- Root canal treatment is excellent for saving infected teeth, but if the infection is too severe your general dentist in Newport Beach, CA might have no option but to extract the tooth. Leaving the tooth in position would lead to the infection spreading.
- If the infection spreads to your jawbone it could destroy some of the bone.
- The worst case scenario is that bacteria from your tooth will get into your bloodstream and could spread to another part of your body, potentially causing a life threatening infection.
- An infected tooth is not something to be ignored, and it’s better to seek treatment from your root canal dentist in Newport Beach, CA as soon as possible to minimize your risks.