Will I Eventually Need a Dental Crown After Root Canal Treatment?
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When tooth decay breaks through to underlying gum tissue, it may be time to consider root canal treatment to abate the risk of spreading oral infection. At Riley Dental, Dr. Luke Riley and his experienced team offer a wide array of cutting-edge preventive and restorative solutions to keep patients’ smiles healthy. Dr. Riley and the team at Riley Dental work with men and women near Haslet, North Richland Hills, and Fort Worth, TX.
What is a root canal?
Root canal treatment involves removing the infected pulp or gum tissue inside a tooth to decrease the risk of spreading infection to other teeth. Once the infected tissue is removed, the tooth is sealed off to prevent further decay. At Riley Dental, we may recommend root canal treatment for a tooth that has experienced trauma, injury, or decay beyond a basic cavity filling.
How do I know if I need root canal treatment?
Patients may experience specific symptoms of infected tooth pulp, including:
- Tooth or jaw pain
- Swollen gums
- Discolored gums
- Discoloration of the affected tooth
- Increased tooth, gum, and jaw pain with chewing
Dr. Riley and his team can assess the tooth with x-rays and imaging tests to determine if the underlying tissue is infected. Once you’ve received your diagnosis, we will present you with your available treatment options, which may include root canal treatment.
Benefits of root canal treatment
Root canal treatments offer individuals numerous benefits, including:
- Immediate resolution of destructive infection or decay
- Saving one or multiple teeth from permanent loss
- Optional sedation dentistry for increased comfort during treatment
- Removing future oral pain with chewing, drinking, and speaking
What the treatment process looks like
Patients attend a scheduled appointment at Riley Dental in Haslet, TX. A member of our team will present you with your sedation options and administer one that provides you with the most ease and comfort possible during your treatment session. Once sedation is administered, Dr. Riley will use specialized equipment to extract the infected pulp from the inner portion of the tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the inner chamber of the tooth will be sanitized and sealed off with dental filler to protect the structure from further decay or infection. Root canal treatment may take up to 90 minutes to complete.
Is there a recovery period after root canal treatment?
Depending on the sedation method used, patients may need just a few days to recover after receiving root canal treatment. Patients should avoid eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods until permitted to allow for optimal healing. In most cases, patients are encouraged to participate in a typical brushing and flossing routine as soon as sedation wears off.
Will I eventually need a dental crown after root canal treatment?
In some instances, patients may be fitted for a dental crown during their initial root canal treatment, depending on the severity of their tooth decay, damage, or injury. If a root canal treatment fails or the tooth structure becomes compromised, then the patient may need to be fitted for a crown in later years. Consult with Dr. Riley about what to expect and if a dental crown may be needed for your specific root canal treatment.
How long do root canals usually last?
With the proper care and dedicated dental hygiene habits, root canals can potentially last for 15 years or longer. Dental crowns may extend the life of a root canal treatment.
Learn more about root canal treatment
If you reside in or near Haslet, TX, and are interested in learning more about the benefits of root canal treatments and if you qualify, contact us at Riley Dental and schedule a consultation today. Dr. Luke Riley and his experienced team will gladly work with you to help meet your restorative and preventive dental needs.