Can a Non-Surgical Root Canal Save an Infected Tooth?

A non-surgical root canal can often treat infection inside a tooth while keeping the natural tooth in place, rather than removing it. Whether it is suitable depends on the tooth’s condition and whether it can be restored afterward. At Knox Dental in Dallas, root canal therapy is listed among the practice’s dental resources; an examination is needed to discuss what is appropriate for an individual tooth.

What happens during root canal treatment?

The pulp is soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or an injury can damage or infect it. In root canal treatment, a dentist accesses the inside of the tooth, removes the affected tissue, cleans the root canals, and seals them. A filling or crown may then be needed to protect and restore the tooth.

The American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy resource explains that root canals are used to repair and save a tooth rather than remove it. It also notes that local anesthesia is used during treatment and that a follow-up visit is needed to replace a temporary filling with a regular filling or crown, when indicated. Read its root canal treatment overview for more detail.

When might saving the tooth be an option?

A root canal may be considered when the pulp is infected or damaged but the remaining tooth can still be restored. Keeping a natural tooth can preserve it in the mouth, but treatment is not a guarantee that every tooth can be saved. The amount of remaining tooth structure, the extent of damage, and the possibility of restoring the tooth are among the factors a dentist evaluates. If the tooth cannot be restored, removal may be discussed instead.

Root canal treatment addresses the affected tissue inside the tooth; the restoration afterward matters too. Ask what type of filling or crown is recommended, when it should be placed, and what follow-up is needed. The ADA notes that a treated tooth may feel sensitive for a few days, and advises discussing discomfort with the dentist.

Questions to discuss with your dentist

• What indicates that the tooth’s pulp is damaged or infected?
• Can the tooth be restored after root canal treatment, and what restoration may be needed?
• What are the alternatives if the tooth cannot be restored?
• What follow-up visits and care should I expect?

For an overview of the service, visit Knox Dental’s root canal therapy resource. To discuss care locally, see the Knox Dental Google Business Profile or visit the Knox Dental website.

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