Root canals are a highly successful treatment option for saving a compromised tooth, with a success rate of more than 95% according to the American Association of Endodontists. A detailed study on the subject examined the long-term effectiveness of 487,476 endodontic treatments and found that 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or more. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10-year survival rate significantly higher than those treated by general dentists. Nothing artificial can replace the look or function of a natural tooth, so it is important to consider root canal treatment as an option.
Endodontic treatment has a high success rate and many teeth treated with endodontics last a lifetime. Replacing an extracted tooth with a bridge or implant requires more treatment time and may result in additional procedures on neighboring teeth and in the supporting tissue. When it comes to restoring molars, dental crowns help protect the tooth from stress, which is why they are often preferred over dental fillings under these circumstances. The patient should consider alternatives, such as an implant, when weighing their decision to remove a root canal.
When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment may prevent it from having to be removed. These figures are useful for patients to have a general idea of how long root canals last and why it is a procedure worth considering, but it is important to understand how specific circumstances may affect the longevity of treatment. The pain of severe toothache, often caused by damaged tissue in the tooth, can be easily remedied when an endodontist removes the damaged tissue through endodontic treatment. However, we do know that endodontics is an effective treatment option that saves a compromised tooth and, when performed by a certified endodontist, it is very likely to last a decade or more. The question then is whether root canal retreatment can be performed successfully and with a good prognosis. The idea of a root canal can make you feel afraid or uncomfortable if you're not familiar with the procedure.
While root canals can last a lifetime, there are some circumstances where the tooth may need to be retreated. Complications are more common when the condition of a tooth worsens before it is treated, especially when the root canal infection spreads to the jawbone. Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is always the best option. Endodontic treatments have an incredibly high success rate and many teeth treated with endodontics last for decades. It's important for patients to understand that endodontic treatments do not last forever and that considering alternatives such as implants should be taken into account when weighing their decision.
