How Long Does a Root Canal Last?
Columbus, OH
 Your teeth are the strongest substance in your body. Despite this strength, though, your teeth can still be faced with significant damage or decay, issues that can leave your teeth susceptible to infections.
If an infection does occur, a root canal becomes necessary. At Raptou Family Dental, we can perform a root canal, eliminating infection and restoring the health of your mouth. Root canals are a very successful treatment. However, just how long do they last?
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment used to eliminate infection from the interior of a tooth. During this procedure, the infected pulp and the nerve of the tooth are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected.
The tooth is then filled, and a crown is placed. With a root canal, we can restore the health of your tooth and prevent the need for tooth extraction. Treatment also allows your tooth to continue functioning normally.
What are the Benefits of a Root Canal?
A root canal provides many significant benefits, including:
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Restoring the health of an infected tooth.
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Improving your oral health.
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Eliminating pain.
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Preventing the need for tooth extraction and subsequent replacement. |
Longevity of a Root Canal
By removing the infected pulp and nerve of the tooth, as well as cleaning it out and disinfecting it, we can eliminate your pain and restore the health of your mouth. Root canals have a very high success rate. In most cases, a tooth treated with a root canal can go on to function normally for many years. A treated tooth can even last a lifetime.
What Can Affect the Longevity of a Root Canal?
Even though root canals are very successful, there are still issues that can affect how long your treatment lasts. Common factors that affect the success of a root canal include:
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Missing canals inside of your tooth during your initial treatment. If canals are missed, bacteria can be left behind. Eventually, these bacteria begin to multiply again, causing a new infection.
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Contamination of the tooth during treatment. If saliva gets into the tooth during treatment, it can contaminate the tooth, resulting in a new infection.
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The crown is not placed promptly. After a root canal, the tooth is prepared for a crown. This involves placing a temporary crown while you wait for your final crown to be prepared. While the temporary crown helps to protect the tooth, it is not a long-term solution. If your final crown is not placed soon enough, your tooth is at risk.
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The final crown is not placed properly. Improper placement means the tooth is vulnerable to bacteria and other issues.
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Dental or facial trauma. These injuries can damage the crown, which can let bacteria into the tooth. |
What Happens if My Root Canal Fails?
If a root canal fails, a new infection can develop. Should this happen, it is essential that you get treatment right away. In most cases, a failed root canal can be retreated. This process involves removing the crown, taking out the filling material inside the tooth and cleaning it out again before placing a new crown.
In some cases, an apicoectomy may be needed. This is a procedure that involves treating the tooth through the root. These treatments are recommended to help preserve the tooth, and in many cases, retreatment is successful, and the tooth can go on to last a lifetime.
Root canals are very successful treatments for tooth infections and can often last a lifetime. If you suspect that you have an infection in your tooth, call Raptou Family Dental today at (614) 427-0449 to schedule your appointment.
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