What Happens When You Put Off Getting a Root Canal?

Have you been told you need a root canal? Or do you suspect you may need one? You might feel nervous at the thought of having this procedure done. But it’s better to avoid delaying it.

Putting off a root canal can actually lead to more problems for you — and even endanger your health! Let’s explore why it’s so important to have this endodontic procedure done sooner rather than later.

Why You Might Need a Root Canal

Do you have any signs of an infected tooth, such as pain? If the inner part of your tooth becomes infected or decayed, this can eventually lead to a tooth extraction. But a root canal provides a way to help save your tooth instead.

Some reasons that endodontists do this procedure include:

• Cracks or chips in teeth
• Decay in the tooth pulp
• Damage to pulp from trauma
• Dental crown damage

These kinds of issues can result in an infection deep inside your tooth — putting you at risk of more severe health problems!

What Are the Risks of Putting Off a Root Canal?

What could happen if you delay having this procedure done? You might end up with any of the following problems.

Higher Risk of Infection Spreading

An infection in your tooth won’t necessarily stay there. In fact, it could end up spreading to other areas of your body. When bacteria from an infected tooth enter the bloodstream, this can increase your risk of developing serious — and potentially life-threatening — complications, such as sepsis.

A root canal helps eliminate these bacteria before they have a chance to spread. If you have symptoms of a tooth infection or abscess, it’s time to schedule this procedure!

Missed Chance to Save the Affected Tooth

Having a tooth extracted is usually a last resort — but an infection that’s serious enough might require you to have this done. Root canals can’t save teeth that have suffered severe decay or infection.

Having this procedure done as soon as you can helps prevent you from losing your tooth permanently. Instead of needing an extraction, you can have the inner part of the affected tooth cleaned and treated.

Ongoing or More Severe Discomfort

An infection can cause a lot of pain in your tooth. Waiting to have a root canal done means having to deal with this pain day after day. Having this procedure done helps alleviate toothaches and other infection symptoms.

In some cases, pain from an infected tooth can become more severe. This may happen if the infection or damage to your inner tooth gets worse. Root canals help ease this discomfort — and prevent it from getting more severe.

Higher Costs Later On

Worried about how much you might have to pay for a root canal? Note that you might end up with higher costs in the long run if you delay this procedure. Poor health outcomes or additional tooth procedures can cost you more than having an infected tooth treated right away!

Why People Delay Root Canals

Worries About a Painful Procedure

Root canals have been associated with pain for a long time. But advancements in these procedures over the years mean that they cause very little discomfort these days. You shouldn’t feel any pain during it, though you may have some soreness afterwards as the anesthesia wears off.

You might not even have a root canal done using manual instruments. At Largo Endodontics, we offer GentleWave technology that uses fluid and sonic energy to treat tooth infections — resulting in even less discomfort!

Concerns About Time

Worried about having to take time off from work for your procedure? Or concerned about a long recovery time? GentleWave and other technology allows endodontists to do root canals in a shorter amount of time and with improved accuracy.

You can usually go back to your normal activities shortly after your procedure. Compare that with the time off you might need to have a tooth extracted or a complex procedure done if you keep putting off a root canal.

Concerns About Cost

Worried that this procedure might be expensive? Note that it costs less than needing to treat health complications or more severe dental problems if you don’t have an infected tooth treated right away.

Visit Our Endodontist for a Root Canal

Do you have any symptoms that might mean you need this procedure, such as the following:

• Tooth pain that’s worse or ongoing
• A pimple on your gums
• Increased sensitivity to heat and cold

If so, it’s time for treatment! Give Largo Endodontics a call to make an appointment. We can answer your questions to help you feel more at ease about having a root canal done to ease pain — and save your tooth!