{"id":512,"date":"2024-03-04T03:21:49","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T03:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/?p=512"},"modified":"2025-04-30T13:47:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:47:01","slug":"root-canal-what-can-happen-if-you-put-it-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/root-canal-what-can-happen-if-you-put-it-off\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens If You Put Off a Root Canal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If your tooth has a severe infection, your dentist might suggest a root canal to save and fix it. Contrary to what many think, root canal therapy is often painless. It’s crucial not to delay this treatment because ignoring an infection can damage your oral health. Read on to learn more about root canals<\/a> and why it’s important to get timely treatment for your overall oral well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does the Root Canal Procedure Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Initially, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to ensure a pain-free procedure. Then, they’ll carefully remove the infected pulp to relieve any discomfort and stop the infection from spreading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After cleaning the inside of the tooth, they’ll fill it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally, to seal the tooth, prevent future infections, and restore its appearance and function, your dentist will place a dental crown or filling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why It\u2019s a Bad Idea to Wait to Get a Root Canal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neglecting treatment for an infected tooth can cause the infection to spread to other parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, or lungs, potentially resulting in serious health problems like heart inflammation, brain abscesses, or pneumonia. If the tooth cannot be saved, extraction becomes necessary, leading to additional treatment costs, especially if a replacement tooth is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Benefits of Root Canals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choosing to undergo a root canal procedure provides numerous benefits beyond preventing complications in other areas of the mouth and body. These advantages include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n