Can a Root Canal Treatment Reverse Tooth Decay?

Dental professionals use a root canal treatment to stop tooth decay from getting worse and treat the effects of tooth decay. While reversing tooth decay is not possible, root canal treatment can often restore the appearance, shape, and overall health of a tooth that is damaged by a severe cavity.

The basics of root canal treatment for tooth decay

While minor cavities may only need a routine dental filling, more severe forms of tooth decay may require root canal treatment to avoid extraction. The following is an overview of root canal treatment and details how it can save a decayed tooth from needing an extraction or causing other oral (and general) health concerns.

Root canal treatment explained

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that involves removing the decayed or diseased portion of a tooth’s root and then filling and sealing the tooth. A dental crown is often placed over the tooth for added protection and for cosmetic reasons. A root canal is most often used to treat tooth infections, dental abscesses, severe tooth decay, and broken teeth. The procedure prolongs the life of the tooth and helps prevent any additional concerns from developing, such as increased discomfort or tooth infections that have the potential to spread.

Root canal treatment for severe tooth decay

Minor tooth decay can be treated through less invasive means (see below). However, if the cavity becomes larger, then a filling may not be adequate. This is particularly the case if the decay extends to the root of the tooth. In this case, root canal therapy is necessary to remove the decayed portion of the tooth, clean and disinfect the deeper layers of the tooth, and fill it.

Root canal treatment vs. dental filling

For minor instances of tooth decay, all the patient may require is a dental filling. This is a less invasive procedure, but it can only adequately fill small cavities. It is also less of a long-term solution, as well. For more severe cases of tooth decay, a root canal treatment is necessary to clean the deeply decayed portions of the tooth and ensure the tooth is adequately filled and protected in the long term.

Root canal treatment vs. tooth extraction

For severe, deep tooth decay, dentists do everything they possibly can to save the tooth. However, if the decay is too advanced, then tooth extraction may be the best option, followed by the replacement of the tooth with a dental implant, fixed bridge, or partial denture. However, in many cases, a root canal treatment procedure can prevent a highly vulnerable tooth from becoming lost.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Saratoga Springs, NY

Schedule a root canal consultation to learn more

If you have a broken tooth and would like to explore root canal treatment, you can start with a simple consultation visit during which we can determine what all treatment options are available to you and explain the root canal treatment process in greater detail. Get in touch today by calling us or sending us a message to schedule a visit.

Request an appointment or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at 518-675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.

Recent Posts

How A Root Canal Treatment Can Help With An Abscessed Tooth

Root canal treatment is often the best (or only) way to deal with an abscessed tooth that results from a tooth infection. This review discusses the role root canal treatment plays in treating an abscessed tooth and what you can expect throughout the diagnostic and treatment processes.An abscessed tooth can affect one’s ability to function…

How Root Canal Treatment Can Prevent Future Dental Issues

A root canal treatment is an optimal way to restore your tooth. It is also an effective way to protect your tooth. Dental damage can result from an injury or decay. Tooth extraction is an easy solution but keeping your natural tooth structure is healthier. If you want to know how a root canal treatment…

Four Benefits Of A Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment addresses issues like severe damage to a tooth, deep decay, and infections. The procedure has a bad reputation as one of the most painful dental treatments you can get, but that simply isn’t true. Local anesthetics are used during root canals, so patients do not feel pain.Treating a tooth with root canal…

Dr. Ryan Osinski

Share
Published by
Dr. Ryan Osinski

Recent Posts

Advantages of a Smile Makeover

A smile makeover aims to enhance the overall appearance of the smile by addressing certain…

4 days ago

Signs it is Time for Professional Denture Repair

One of the most obvious signs that denture repair is necessary is the presence of…

5 days ago

Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Smile Makeover

Considering a smile makeover and not sure where to start? Read on to learn more.…

5 days ago

Signs It Is Time To Visit a Pediatric Dentist

A pediatric dentist can assess the situation to determine whether the child’s teeth are developing…

7 days ago

5 Treatments for a Smile Makeover

A smile makeover can be achieved with the help of one procedure or several. What…

2 weeks ago

Smile Makeover: Key Things To Know

A smile makeover involves a treatment plan that improves a smile's appearance. It can involve…

2 weeks ago