Cases in which a tooth’s pulp becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment can prevent necessary tooth removal. An endodontist can clean, shape, and disinfect your root canals to preserve your natural tooth for years, decades, or even a lifetime. After the pulp has been removed from the tooth, the periodontal ligament keeps the tooth in place to function like any other tooth. Root canals may last a lifetime, but certain circumstances may require re-treatment.

Root canals will last longer if a few factors are followed:

• You must allow your doctor to restore the tooth permanently. A filling and crown should be placed after all bacteria and debris have been removed from the canals.
• Be sure to brush and floss at least three times a day, preferably after a meal and right before bedtime.
• Make sure you get regular dental checkups and cleanings.

Root Canal Lifespan: Factors That Affect It
What makes a root canal last a lifetime instead of one that requires re-treatment after a few years?

• Timeline of treatment: When treatment is started on time, better results are achieved than when treatment is delayed.
• The tooth’s location: A front tooth requires fewer endodontic treatments since it only requires one root canal. In addition to having multiple roots, the back teeth must take more bite force during eating, making treatment more difficult.
• Age of the patient: Getting older makes our teeth more brittle and more vulnerable to breaking. Having a root canal can also be affected by this phenomenon. In these circumstances, dental crowns are often preferred over dental fillings for restoring molars because they help protect the tooth from stress.

We cannot predict how long a root canal treatment will last because many variables are involved. It is known that a root canal is a very effective procedure for salvaging a compromised tooth and that it can last a long period of time when performed by a board-certified endodontist.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!