“You need a root canal.” These are five words nobody wants to hear from their dentist. Sometimes, though, a root canal is necessary.
If you have severe tooth decay, a root canal procedure will help to prevent infection from spreading.
The procedure might not be particularly pleasant. However, the results that it can provide are well worth it for most people.
That being said, some people experience better results from root canals than others. There are a lot of factors that can influence the effectiveness of this treatment, including existing tooth conditions.
Read on to learn how existing tooth conditions can affect root canal treatment.
Certain tooth types respond better to root canal treatments.
Teeth that have just one root are often easier to treat. Teeth that have multiple roots, on the other hand, are more difficult. They also often require the use of special equipment and techniques.
It’s not impossible to treat a tooth that has multiple roots. The process just takes extra time and skill in most cases — your dentist might even recommend you to a specialist.
Dentists sometimes have a difficult time clearing out infection all the way when they’re performing a root canal procedure. When they’re working on certain teeth — such as the back molars — it can be easy to overlook an infection altogether.
If this happens, the infection can continue to spread and cause additional oral health problems (and other health problems).
The longer an infection has progressed and an individual has gone without dental care, the more difficult it is to perform root canal procedures.
Sometimes, the infection spreads so much that the patient doesn’t respond well to the medications used to numb them. As a result, the procedure is more painful and the patient takes longer to make a full recovery.
This is why it’s important to see a dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and make an appointment right away if you start experiencing pain or any other problematic symptoms.
Finally, age can play a role in root canal treatment, too. Older patients with aging teeth may experience more pain and discomfort during and after the procedure.
Their teeth may be more prone to damage, too, as a result of them being older and more brittle. Because of this, dentists may have to apply crowns to try and add an extra layer of protection.
As you can see, there are a few different factors that can influence the effectiveness of your root canal treatment.
This knowledge can be a bit daunting at first. You might even be wondering if it’s worth it for you to pursue a root canal.
Some root canals are more intense than others. In most cases, though, it’s still ideal for you to have a root canal if your dentist recommends it.
Just make sure you’re working with a dentist who is thorough and understands the potential factors that might influence your treatment.