What Happens if Root Canal Therapy is not Undertaken?
Tooth decay kills the internal pulp, meaning that it cannot cure itself as necessary. In such a case, the tooth begins to die, while the infection starts to spread to the whole tooth. If root canal therapy is not conducted, the infection will reach the root apex and begin to damage the tissue. The progression of the infection results in abscess, intense pain and swelling, requiring treatment with antibiotics to reduce the swelling. After the reduction in swelling, dental experts can apply root canal therapy if the tooth is not in a serious enough condition to warrant extraction.
Does Root Canal Therapy Hurt?
Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapy is less painful than extraction. If your tooth is extracted, you will require a prosthesis for the empty space or will need to wait until it can be covered. In the latter case, however, the other teeth will begin to slide towards the empty area, causing crookedness in the mouth and an unpleasant appearance. However, if your tooth must be extracted, it can be replaced with an artificial tooth by means of advanced technology, such as an implant.