A toothache is different from any kind of pain: it can be debilitating, making you unable to eat, drink, speak, and carry on your daily activities with ease. Moreover, it can also be very frustrating to continually visit the dentist with no solution. In these cases, dentists may recommend root canals in Kennett Square to put a stop to your discomfort.  

Root canal treatments involve removing infected nerve tissue from a tooth, eliminating any possible source of pain. However, you may not be aware of many of the full benefits of endodontics. 

What Is a Root Canal?  

Root canal, or endodontic therapy, is a procedure that removes infection from the innermost part of a tooth, the dental pulp. The pulp is composed of nerves and blood vessels in the tooth, so an infection in this area can be especially painful. Unfortunately, an infection in the nerve tissue can’t be healed. The solution is to remove it completely, protecting the tooth from further microbial invasion.  

Beyond solving the infection, this procedure offers additional advantages that make it an excellent treatment choice. 

What Are the Benefits of a Root Canal? 

1. Preserves Natural Tooth Structure  

Root canal therapy removes decayed tissue from inside the tooth, preventing it from spreading any further and avoiding the need for a dental extraction. Though this treatment helps eliminate the infected tooth, it may also affect a patient’s natural eating abilities. When teeth are lost and not replaced promptly, the surrounding ones will shift to the available space, impacting a patient’s bite.  

Root canal therapy helps preserve the tooth, maintaining normal biting force and chewing efficiency. Moreover, it prevents adjacent teeth from shifting, supports long-term oral stability, and avoids more complex restorative procedures in the long run.  

2. Reduces the Risk of Jawbone Degeneration  

When teeth are extracted, the supporting jawbone can gradually resorb or shrink due to the lack of stimulation the roots used to provide. In the long run, this can have several consequences for oral health, like skin sagging around the mouth, an overall aged look, and further tooth loss.  

To prevent this concern, a root canal helps to retain natural teeth for longer. This maintains the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone engaged, preserving facial structure and minimizing the risk of needing future bone grafting procedures.  

3. Prevents Systemic Health Complications  

All of our body’s systems are connected, which is why untreated dental infections can sometimes spread beyond the oral cavity, affecting your entire body. Studies link dental pulp infections to sinus infections, cardiovascular issues, and even severe systemic infections.  

While these cases are rare, removing an infection from your body is always better. Root canal therapy eliminates this threat before it spreads, offering important systemic protection.    

4. Minimally Invasive Compared to Extraction  

Many patients fear root canal treatments because they’re associated with discomfort. However, many don’t know that a root canal can often be completed comfortably in 1 or 2 visits under dental sedation, usually with minimal aftereffects. 

This post-procedure recovery is much quicker and less complex than surgical extractions followed by implant or bridge placement. Over time, there’s less discomfort, fewer appointments, and less biological impact than other treatment options. 

5. Enhances Psychological and Emotional Wellbeing  

Patients who need a root canal are often in severe pain. This discomfort makes eating or drinking difficult, can strike during sleep, interrupts important family moments, and may even force you to miss work.  

A root canal provides immediate relief from this cycle of pain and disruption. Say goodbye to discomfort with a noninvasive and quick procedure so you can enjoy your everyday routine.  

Recover Your Quality of Life with Root Canals in Kennett Square 

Root canal therapy has had a bad reputation for years. These misconceptions—from exaggerated pain claims to false health warnings—prevent many patients from getting the treatment they need. 

However, root therapy offers many advantages over time, allowing you to save your tooth and protect the health of your mouth and body. At C. Christian Franck DDS Wellness Dentistry, we believe that you can achieve optimal health by maintaining healthy gums and teeth. 

If you experience a severe toothache, don’t ignore it. Contact us today to see if a root canal is necessary!