If you need a root canal treatment, it means that you’ve suffered some pretty serious tooth decay. The good news is that the treatment is designed to address severe tooth decay and is highly successful and minimally invasive. Here are a few things you should know about a root canal treatment.

It’s an indication that your tooth may be in serious trouble.

Cavities may not seem like a big threat to your teeth, and they aren’t – if they are treated in their mild to moderate stages. If they’re allowed to progress until they reach the pulp of a tooth, though, they can be a big threat to your oral health. The root canal treatment is meant to stop the internal tooth infection from spreading through the root canal and beyond the tooth.

You might need a dental crown afterward.

The goal of a root canal treatment is to save the tooth and restore functionality without having to remove it. However, having work done on the tooth and losing part of the tooth structure to decay will most likely require the placement of a crown. This dental restoration is custom-made and protects the tooth.

You can avoid the need for another root canal treatment.

Although needing a root canal treatment means that the decay on a tooth is pretty well-developed, the condition is entirely avoidable. If you’ve had a root canal done on one tooth, you can view it as a reminder to take better care of the rest of your teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting the dentist regularly (twice a year) is the best way to make your first root canal treatment your last.

If you need a root canal, speak to your dentist about the benefits of the treatment and what to expect during and after the procedure.