Dental Advice for the Sweet Tooth



Dentist Blog


Find a good endodontist

The quality of root canal treatment heavily depends on the experience of the endodontist. In the case of molars, specialists need to take extra care when conducting diagnosis and treatment. For example, some molars have two roots, while others have three. If the endodontist misses one root, a new infection can occur in the missed root after treatment, leading to root canal failure.

Find a reputable specialist for root canal therapy. During treatment, the endodontist should carry out dental X-rays to establish the tooth's structure and severity of the decay. This eliminates the risk of error and increases the chances of successful treatment. If the gum is infected, the specialist should administer treatment to halt the infection.

Cap root canal treated teeth

Standard root canal treatments involve removing the infected pulp and using fillings to cover the hollow space. Fillings usually work well for most teeth. However, molars have a large enamel surface, and during a root canal, the endodontist removes a significant amount of tooth structure. This leaves behind a weak molar that can easily crack or chip if you bite on hard foods. Fillings do little to protect the already-weakened tooth from damage.

Capping a root canal tooth can improve the long-term prognosis. Capping is the process of using a metal or ceramic crown to cover the entire tooth. Dental crowns act as a protective layer over the root canal treated tooth. The cap material is sturdy and protects the tooth from chipping or breaking, even when you eat hard foods.

Get regular dental exams

Even with proper treatment, a root canal can fail over time due to poor oral hygiene. For example, the sealant used to cover the tooth can break down over time, allowing bacteria into the tooth. This can lead to further decay and tooth infection. Note that capping does not make a tooth immune to infection. Poor oral hygiene can increase the risk of cavities and decay, even in capped teeth.

Regular dental exams can unearth impending root canal failure. During an exam, the dentist also cleans your teeth to get rid of bacteria and prevent cavities. If your root canal therapy is failing, a dentist can administer treatment to prevent further infection and preserve the tooth.

Root canal therapy has a high success rate. However, it's important to take the above measures to prevent treatment failure and potential tooth loss.

To learn more about root canal treatment, talk to a dentist.


3 February 2021