If you’re considering treating your infected tooth with a root canal procedure but aren’t sure if it’s really worth the trouble, the good news is that in addition to preserving your natural teeth, this treatment has other benefits that make it an ideal choice over extraction. Recent studies have shown that in addition to your smile, root canals offer some incredible perks that may benefit your overall health, too.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that eliminates infection from a tooth. During treatment, your dentist will numb your mouth and then drill the damaged tooth open to remove the infected pulp from within the canals. Then, they will replace it with a synthetic material called gutta percha, which not only takes the place of the pulp, but also prevents the infection from returning. The tooth is then reshaped and fitted with a dental crown, and in most cases goes on to last a lifetime.
Root Canals and Metabolic Health
In addition to restoring the appearance and function of the teeth, root canals have recently been found to have many other impressive benefits, including:
- Improving lipid profiles: this results in shorter term improvements in blood cholesterol and fatty acid levels, which are beneficial to heart health.
- Better glucose metabolism: Patients who underwent root canals experienced a significant drop in blood sugar over two years after treatment, helping reduce their risk of diabetes.
- Lower oral bacteria levels: This lowers the risk of developing cavities and gum disease and is beneficial to the body’s overall metabolism.
- Reduced inflammation: Patients’ markers of inflammation decreased over time, reducing their risk of cardiovascular problems.
Why Should I Get a Root Canal Instead of an Extraction?
If you’re still on the fence about whether you should get a root canal versus an extraction, this treatment provides many benefits over simply removing it. For starters, if you do have a tooth pulled, you will need to replace it, which is a separate cost. Furthermore, should you choose to restore it with a dental bridge, you will need to alter two of your existing healthy teeth to attach it, which is a permanent procedure, and your jaw could be at greater risk of deterioration due to lack of stimulation. While these issues can be prevented with a dental implant, the cost of this treatment is usually much higher than that of a root canal, and can take up to a year to complete, instead of the comparatively fast root canal treatment that could take just a few weeks between the initial procedure and the final placement of the crown.
Remember, a root canal is a treatment designed to preserve the appearance and function of your natural teeth, but it also has many other benefits to your oral and overall health. If you’re unsure whether this procedure is right for you, speak to your dentist today, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy, pain-free smile!
About Dr. Scott
Dr. Paul Scott has performed well over 35,000 root canals to date and understands the benefits of this incredible treatment. A graduate of Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, he is also a proud United States Navy Veteran, and the first endodontist to bring “microscopic endodontics” to Brevard County. To schedule a root canal with Associated Endodontics of Melbourne, visit our website or call 321-722-0550.