What happens if you don't get root canal therapy on an infected tooth?
When your dentist mentions the words "root canal," you might feel tempted to delay or avoid the treatment altogether. After all, root canal therapy doesn't exactly top anyone's list of fun activities. However, ignoring an infected tooth can lead to serious complications that extend far beyond your mouth. Understanding what happens when you skip necessary endodontic treatment can help you make informed decisions about your oral health and overall wellbeing.
An infected tooth occurs when bacteria penetrate the tooth's inner pulp—the soft tissue containing nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. This infection can result from deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or trauma. Root canal therapy removes this infected tissue, cleans the inside of the tooth and seals it to prevent further infection.
But what if you choose to wait it out or hope the problem resolves on its own? The consequences can be both immediate and long-lasting, affecting not just your dental health but your entire body.
What happens if you don't get root canal therapy?
Avoiding necessary root canal therapy sets off a chain of events that can seriously compromise your health. Here's what typically occurs when an infected tooth goes untreated:
Spread of infection
The infection in your tooth doesn't stay contained to that one area. Bacteria can travel through the root tip into the surrounding tissues, creating a pathway for infection to spread throughout your jaw, neck and even into your bloodstream. This process, known as sepsis, can become life-threatening if left unchecked.
The infection can also spread to nearby teeth, requiring multiple treatments instead of just one. What started as a single infected tooth can quickly become a more complex dental emergency involving several teeth and extensive treatment.
Abscess formation
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the root of the infected tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue. This painful swelling occurs when your body tries to fight off the bacterial infection by sending white blood cells to the area.
Abscesses cause intense, throbbing pain that can radiate to your jaw, neck, ear or even your head. They can also cause facial swelling, fever and difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth. In severe cases, an abscess can block your airway, creating a medical emergency that requires immediate hospital treatment.
Bone loss
The infection doesn't stop at soft tissue—it can also attack the bone that supports your tooth. The bacteria produce toxins that break down the jawbone around the infected tooth's roots, leading to permanent bone loss. This process weakens the foundation that holds your teeth in place and can affect the stability of neighboring teeth.
Once bone tissue is lost, it doesn't regenerate on its own. Even after successful treatment, you may need bone grafting procedures to restore the lost structure if you want to replace the tooth with a dental implant later.
Tooth loss
Eventually, an untreated infected tooth will need to be extracted. The combination of infection, bone loss and structural damage makes the tooth unsalvageable. While tooth extraction might seem like a simpler solution than root canal therapy, it creates additional problems and costs.
Losing a tooth affects your ability to chew properly, can cause neighboring teeth to shift out of position and may require expensive replacement options like dental implants, bridges or partial dentures. These solutions are typically more costly and time-consuming than the original root canal therapy would have been.
Systemic health issues
Research has established strong connections between oral infections and serious systemic health conditions. The bacteria from an infected tooth can enter your bloodstream and potentially contribute to:
Heart disease: Oral bacteria can cause inflammation in blood vessels and contribute to the formation of arterial plaque
Diabetes complications: Infections can make blood sugar harder to control and worsen diabetes symptoms
Respiratory infections: Bacteria from your mouth can be inhaled into your lungs, potentially causing pneumonia
Pregnancy complications: Pregnant women with severe oral infections may face increased risk of premature birth or low birth weight babies
These connections underscore why treating dental infections promptly is crucial for your overall health, not just your oral health.
Alternatives to root canal therapy
While root canal therapy is often the preferred treatment for saving an infected tooth, there is one main alternative to consider:
Tooth extraction
Removing the infected tooth eliminates the source of infection immediately. This option might be recommended if:
The tooth is too severely damaged to save
The cost of root canal therapy and restoration exceeds your budget
You have other health conditions that make endodontic treatment risky
However, extraction comes with its own set of considerations. You'll need to replace the missing tooth to prevent problems with chewing, speaking and tooth alignment. Replacement options include:
Dental implants: The most natural-feeling replacement but also the most expensive
Fixed bridges: Require altering adjacent healthy teeth to support the replacement
Removable partial dentures: The most affordable option but may be less comfortable
When you factor in the cost and time required for tooth replacement, root canal therapy often becomes the more practical and economical choice for saving your natural tooth.
What to expect during root canal therapy at Granbury Endodontics
At Granbury Endodontics, Dr. Francisco Nieves uses advanced GentleWave® technology to provide the most effective and comfortable root canal therapy available. This innovative system offers several advantages over traditional root canal methods:
GentleWave® technology benefits:
Minimally invasive approach: Preserves more of your natural tooth structure
Superior cleaning: Uses multisonic energy and advanced fluid dynamics to reach areas traditional instruments might miss
Faster healing: Less tissue disruption means quicker recovery times
Reduced treatment time: Many cases can be completed in a single visit
Enhanced comfort: Patients typically experience less discomfort during and after the procedure
The GentleWave® system represents a significant advancement in endodontic care. Instead of relying solely on traditional files to clean the root canals, this technology uses a combination of sound waves and specially designed fluids to thoroughly disinfect even the most complex root canal systems.
During your treatment, Dr. Nieves will first numb the area around your tooth to ensure your comfort. He'll then create a small access hole in the tooth and use the GentleWave® system to remove the infected tissue and thoroughly clean the internal structure. Finally, he'll seal the tooth and place a temporary filling until you can return to your general dentist for a permanent restoration.
Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the procedure is, especially compared to the pain they experienced from the infected tooth. Many report significant pain relief immediately following the treatment.
Don't let an infected tooth compromise your health
The risks of avoiding necessary root canal therapy extend far beyond temporary discomfort. From spreading infections and bone loss to potential systemic health complications, an untreated infected tooth can create problems that are far more serious and expensive to address than the original root canal therapy.
If you're experiencing persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling or any other signs of dental infection, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Contact Granbury Endodontics today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nieves. With advanced GentleWave technology and board-certified expertise, you can get the relief you need while preserving your natural tooth and protecting your overall health.
Remember, root canal therapy has a high success rate and can save your tooth for many years to come. The temporary discomfort of treatment is minimal compared to the ongoing pain and complications of an untreated infection. Take action now to protect your smile and your health.