One of the potential problems with root canals is the risk of infection after root canal surgery is done. But with the advancement of dental technology and refinement of procedures the risk of a root canal gone bad is minimal. In fact it has changes so much that the American Association of Endodontists officially changed the name of the procedure to root canal therapy rather than calling it root canal treatment or root canal surgery.
If you get an infection after root canal therapy, it is probably because there was an dental infection before the surgery that could not be reached during treatment. Root canal dentistry is about working inside the tooth, which, is why it is known as Endodontics. Root canal treatment is made possible by the fact that the pulp inside the tooth is not vital to the life of the tooth. Any infection inside the tooth can be cleaned out and replaced while the rest of the tooth is nourished by the surrounding gums. Once the inside of the tooth is cleaned out gutta percha is used to fill it in and a dental crown is placed on top of the tooth, restoring it's full functionality. If doen propely and thoroughly the infection is gone and the tooth will remain healthy.
A periapical abscess is a common type of infection after root canal. This is a build up of fluid in the bone at the tip of the root. Sometimes these abscesses are sterile and sometimes they are not. Either way the build up will create pressure that is uncomfortable. Root canal dentistry requires patience, preparation and understanding. The procedure often requires several visits to the dentists office although many can be done in just one visit. This discrepancy in the time for the procedure is due to several factors. Some teeth have more roots than others, and some people have teeth with more roots than is common and certain root structures are more complex than others.
While many people may still be scared about an infection after root canal treatment, the alternative, tooth extraction, is not much better. If you have a tooth extraction you must replace the gap left behind with a bridge, dental partial or dental implant. These can be expensive procedures and each one has a number of potential drawbacks. A bridge can over-stress the adjacent teeth causing failure. Partials can create problems for your gums and implants, while strong and long lasting, are expensive and not everyone is a candidate. Our Atlanta Dental Team is dedicated to their patients' good health and well being and you are welcome to join our family of patients. If you would like to make an appointment with Atlanta Family Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky or with our Root Canal Dentist, Charles Chung DMD, call 404-874-7428.
