How Long Can You Go Without Getting A Root Canal?

Many people will experience an infected tooth at one point in their lives or another. This condition often necessitates a root canal. Some dental patients will put off a root canal treatment for various reasons, such as a fear of the procedure or financial issues. However, putting off a root canal might have serious consequences.

Suppose you’re experiencing signs that you may need a root canal, such as a severe toothache, discoloration, or tenderness. In that case, it’s crucial to seek professional dental care as soon as possible.

What Happens If You Don't Get a Root Canal?

When a tooth’s pulp (the innermost part of the tooth with the blood vessels and nerves) becomes inflamed or infected, a root canal is often the best treatment. Leaving such conditions untreated can result in severe complications.

First, the infection from the tooth can spread, causing an abscess or a pus-filled pocket at the roots of your tooth. This can be extremely painful and result in swelling that spreads to other areas of the face or neck.

This infection can potentially cause bone loss around the tip of the root of the affected tooth. If left untreated, it can destabilize the tooth, potentially causing tooth loss. As time goes by, the infection may result in drainage problems extending outward from the root, thus causing holes that drain into the gums or through the cheek into the skin.

How Long Can You Wait to Have a Root Canal Done?

The length of time you can leave an infected tooth untreated depends on the severity of the infection and, typically, your pain tolerance. Some individuals will have severe symptoms within days, while others may go weeks or even months without significant pain. But do keep in mind that even if you don’t feel a lot of discomfort or pain, the infection is still there and damaging your tooth and surrounding tissues. Considering this, it’s imperative to seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals

Do You Need a Root Canal if the Tooth Does Not Hurt?

While pain is often an indicator of a dental problem, it’s not the only one. If your tooth is decayed and left untreated, it can make matters worse as the decay will spread to nearby teeth. Waiting until you are in a substantial amount of pain might cause your dentist to have to perform a root canal on more than one tooth. Unfortunately, this will be more expensive than if you had received a single root canal as soon as your dentist diagnosed the problem.

Will Dental Insurance Cover a Root Canal?

Yes, most dental insurance plans will cover root canal treatment since it’s done for the benefit of your oral health. It’s not categorized as a cosmetic dentistry procedure. At Family and Implant Dentistry, we are happy to discuss your insurance benefits with you so you know what your root canal will cost you out of pocket. If you need financing options, we also offer those.

Root Canals in Lincoln

At Family and Implant Dentistry, we know that root canals probably aren’t your idea of a great time. However, we are here to give you quality dentistry care and to ensure this procedure is as painless as possible to restore and preserve the function of your teeth and gums.You can learn more about root canals in Lincoln by contacting us at 402-486-0825 or requesting an appointment online.