If you do not get a root canal when one is needed, the infection inside your tooth will spread. The bacteria will move from the pulp chamber into the surrounding bone, and the infection can reach neighboring teeth, your jaw, and, in serious cases, other parts of your body. The pain may come and go, but the infection does not resolve on its own. Eventually, the tooth will become too damaged to save and will need to be extracted.
Many patients delay root canal treatment because they are nervous about the procedure or hope the problem will go away. Unfortunately, waiting only makes things worse and often leads to more extensive and expensive treatment.
Why Your Dentist Recommends a Root Canal
A root canal is recommended when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or severely inflamed. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When bacteria reach this area, usually through deep decay, a crack, or trauma, the pulp becomes infected and begins to die.
Your dentist recommends a root canal to remove the infected tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and seal it to prevent further infection. This procedure saves the natural tooth and eliminates the source of infection.
The Infection Does Not Go Away on Its Own
Unlike some infections that your immune system can fight off, a tooth infection cannot heal without treatment. The inside of your tooth has no blood supply once the pulp dies, which means your body cannot deliver immune cells or antibiotics to the area.
The bacteria continue to multiply inside the tooth and eventually spread beyond the root tip into the surrounding jawbone. This creates an abscess, a pocket of pus that forms as your body tries to contain the infection.
What Happens to the Tooth Without Treatment
Without a root canal, the tooth will continue to deteriorate. The infection weakens the tooth structure from the inside. Over time, the tooth may become so damaged that it fractures or breaks apart. At this point, extraction is often the only option.
The bone around the tooth also begins to break down as the infection spreads. This bone loss can affect neighboring teeth and make future dental work, such as implants, more complicated and expensive.
Can a Tooth Infection Spread to Other Parts of Your Body?
Yes. While rare, untreated tooth infections can spread beyond the mouth and become life-threatening. The infection can spread to the jaw, neck, and head. In severe cases, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, a condition called sepsis, which requires emergency medical treatment.
Signs that an infection may be spreading include fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling that extends to your eye or neck, and feeling generally unwell. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
Why the Pain Sometimes Goes Away
Some patients notice that their toothache suddenly stops and assume the problem has resolved. Unfortunately, this is often a sign that the nerve inside the tooth has died. The pain goes away because there is no longer a living nerve to send pain signals.
The infection, however, is still present and continues to spread. Many patients are surprised to learn that a tooth can be severely infected even when it no longer hurts. This is why regular dental exams are important, as your dentist can detect infections that you may not feel.
Waiting Makes Treatment More Expensive
Delaying a root canal often leads to more extensive and costly treatment. A straightforward root canal and crown may cost a fraction of what you would pay if the tooth needs to be extracted and replaced with an implant.
If bone loss has occurred, you may also need bone grafting before an implant can be placed, adding to the cost and treatment time. The earlier you address the problem, the more options you have and the less you are likely to spend.
Signs You Need a Root Canal Now
Common signs that you may need a root canal include severe toothache that may come and go, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed, darkening or discoloration of the tooth, swelling or tenderness in the gums near the affected tooth, a persistent pimple on the gums that may drain pus, and pain when chewing or applying pressure to the tooth.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not wait. Contact your dentist to have the tooth evaluated.
Gentle Root Canal Treatment in Newark, NJ
At Gentle Dental of NJ, root canal treatment is performed by Dr. Mariya Rozenblum, DDS, our experienced endodontist. An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on treating problems inside teeth, including infections and injuries to the dental pulp.
Modern root canal treatment is comfortable and effective. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients are surprised at how straightforward the experience is compared to what they expected.
Gentle Dental of NJ is located at 290 Ferry Street in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, just five minutes from Newark Penn Station with free patient parking. We offer extended evening hours and Saturday appointments. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
If you have been told you need a root canal or are experiencing symptoms of a tooth infection, call us at 973-817-8888 to schedule an appointment. The sooner you address the problem, the better your outcome will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I wait to get a root canal?
There is no safe amount of time to wait once a root canal has been recommended. The infection will continue to spread, and the longer you wait, the more damage occurs. Some patients wait weeks or months and then face extraction because the tooth can no longer be saved. If you need a root canal, schedule it as soon as possible.
Is a root canal painful?
With modern anesthesia and techniques, root canal treatment should not be painful. Most patients report that the procedure feels similar to getting a filling. The discomfort you feel from the infection before treatment is usually far worse than anything you experience during the root canal itself.
Can antibiotics cure a tooth infection?
Antibiotics can help control the spread of infection temporarily, but they cannot cure a tooth infection. The source of the infection is inside the tooth, where antibiotics cannot reach effectively. A root canal or extraction is needed to remove the infected tissue and eliminate the problem.
What happens if I just have the tooth pulled instead?
Extraction is an option, but it creates new problems. A missing tooth allows neighboring teeth to shift, affects your bite, and can lead to bone loss in the jaw. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant or bridge costs more than a root canal and crown. Whenever possible, saving your natural tooth is the better choice.
Disclaimer
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mariya Rozenblum, DDS. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.