Hello, and welcome to Boulder County Smiles. When a tooth’s nerve and pulp become infected, a dentist and patient must make a choice of whether to attempt to save the tooth by executing a root canal or to extract the tooth.

There are several factors that impact this determination. These include whether there is an infection in the surrounding bone, the amount and condition of the remaining tooth structure, the strength of the supporting bone, and the presence of periodontitis.

In a root canal (endodontic) procedure, the dentist removes the nerve and pulp of the tooth. This tissue contains veins, arteries, and lymph vessels. The dentist or endodontist uses files of various sizes to clean out the canals. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material that seals them off.

A root canal procedure is just the initial step in the complete tooth restoration process. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will probably become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build-up and crown placement. A strong, natural-looking crown protects the remaining tooth and functions like a natural tooth.

A root canal is ordinarily the most conservative treatment when a root is infected or a tooth has acute decay or damage. Root canals have a very high success rate.

But there is always a slight possibility that a tooth with a root canal can have complications down the road. If there is a tiny crack in the treated tooth, it can become re-infected. A tooth with curved roots is harder to fill and it can also become re-infected. Occasionally, the tip of a file can break off in a root during the procedure and cause problems.

Due to the slight risk of failure, some patients question whether they should just get a tooth implant in the first place. This is not a black-and-white decision. Like root canals, dental implants have a high success rate. But there are risks with dental implants, as well.

If you have been told that a root canal or a dental implant is needed, talk with your dentist about the pros and cons of each procedure. If you do not currently have a dentist, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Boulder County Smiles. You can count on our team for essential, unbiased information so you can make an informed decision about your dental treatment.

Contact Boulder County Smiles:

303-665-5335

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026