“Will cavities require root canals if left untreated?”
I have a few cavities that aren't treated (I can feel them). If I don't get these filled right away, is it possible that I would need a root canal for them? Is there any way to avoid root canals?
10 Answers
They will progress to need root canals or lost teeth. The only way to avoid that possibility is to have the fillings done.
Yes, if they keep advancing, which they will, they will eventually infect the pulp of the tooth and cause infection. Then you will need extraction or root canal treatment. Get the cavities filled while they are small to restore and seal the tooth structure.
Cavities mean that bacteria has started to erode through the enamel (the hardest layer of the body!). When small they can be reversible with application of special materials in a dental office. When they reach dentin, the second layer, they progress much faster and then can reach the nerve, requiring a root canal. To prevent root canal treatment, one should have restorations done before the bacteria reaches the nerve!!
Yes! It’s best to take care of them and don’t let the cavities get bigger and become a root canal.
Hi,
As cavities remain, they get bigger. As they do, they also get deeper and at some point will invade you pulp, nerve, requiring a root canal or extraction. If you have cavities and want to avoid root canals, get them filled.
Hope this helped !
As cavities remain, they get bigger. As they do, they also get deeper and at some point will invade you pulp, nerve, requiring a root canal or extraction. If you have cavities and want to avoid root canals, get them filled.
Hope this helped !
100% yes. If not treated right away you run the risk of a treatment such as an implant or root canal. The simple filling that costs a few hundred dollars if you catch it when small is much better than waiting until it costs between $2000-$4,000, or a missing tooth.
There is a definite chance that if a cavity is left untreated, you may need a root canal. A root canal is necessary when the nerve gets injured, and a deep cavity is one of the most common causes of nerve injury. On the other hand, if the cavity is removed and filled before the nerve gets injured, a root canal is not necessarily always needed. You should make an appointment with your dentist and have xrays and a thorough examination of the tooth involved to determine what would be the best course of action for your tooth.
Typically, cavities left untreated will progress and if they are given the time to progress far enough that the decay gets to the nerve, then a root canal or removal of the tooth will be necessary. The best way to avoid root canals is to go to the dentist on a regular basis, usually every 6 months, so that decay can be treated early and emergencies can be prevented.
There is a possibility that could happen.
Hi,
A cavity is a bacterial infection of the tooth. If left untreated, the cavity will progress and eventually reach the pulp chamber where the nerve lies. If this happens, root canal therapy will absolutely be necessary to save the tooth. Sometimes even if the cavity does not reach the nerve, the insult of the cavity to the tooth may be enough to cause the nerve to degenerate, and a root canal will be necessary any ways. As the cavity eats away at the remaining tooth structure, a crown or other type of stronger restoration may as well be necessary to save the tooth. If left to go too long, the tooth may not be savable and may need to be removed. My advice is to get cavities treated as soon as possible to preserve and save your teeth, and keep treatment cost and time in the dental chair down. If the cavities are not that bad yet, you should be able to avoid root canals. But that's not always 100%.
A cavity is a bacterial infection of the tooth. If left untreated, the cavity will progress and eventually reach the pulp chamber where the nerve lies. If this happens, root canal therapy will absolutely be necessary to save the tooth. Sometimes even if the cavity does not reach the nerve, the insult of the cavity to the tooth may be enough to cause the nerve to degenerate, and a root canal will be necessary any ways. As the cavity eats away at the remaining tooth structure, a crown or other type of stronger restoration may as well be necessary to save the tooth. If left to go too long, the tooth may not be savable and may need to be removed. My advice is to get cavities treated as soon as possible to preserve and save your teeth, and keep treatment cost and time in the dental chair down. If the cavities are not that bad yet, you should be able to avoid root canals. But that's not always 100%.
