The development of cavities can lead to severe tooth decay and even an infection in the root of your tooth. However, cavities will not always lead to a root canal procedure. A root canal is a specific dental procedure that is used to treat a particular condition and is not necessary for every cavity. While they may not necessarily require a root canal, any restorative procedure used to address cavities is much more costly than preventative maintenance and regular oral exams.
What Is the Goal of a Root Canal?
A root canal is targeted at removing the infected pulp from the core of your tooth. Removing this pulp allows our professionals to stop the spread of infection and save the roots of your natural tooth. Once a root canal is completed, a crown is placed over the tooth to protect and preserve it.
Teeth that already have severe structural damage infected roots may not be able to be saved with a root canal. These teeth will need to be removed completely in many cases. On the other hand, teeth that have cavities that have not yet affected the pulp can be treated in other ways.
What Other Procedures Are Used to Treat Cavities?
There are many different options for treating cavities, based on their location on the tooth and their severity. Minor cavities can be treated with fillings or an inlay. More severe cavities can be treated with onlays or crowns. In the worst cases, a decayed tooth will need to be extracted and replaced with some other restoration, such as a dental implant or bridge.
While root canals are a great means of allowing our professionals to save your natural tooth, they are not always the best restoration option. The best approach is to receive regular oral exams by our professionals to prevent cavities. If you would like more information or are ready to come see us, call our office today.
The development of cavities can lead to severe tooth decay and even an infection in the root of your tooth. However, cavities will not always lead to a root canal procedure. A root canal is a specific dental procedure that is used to treat a particular condition and is not necessary for every cavity. While they may not necessarily require a root canal, any restorative procedure used to address cavities is much more costly than preventative maintenance and regular oral exams.