If root canal therapy has been diagnosed for you, it is likely that your tooth is infected, and you might even be in pain. At this point, a root canal is necessary to preserve your tooth and eliminate your infection.
However, if you are proactive about your oral health, many root canals can actually be avoided. For example, if your dentist in Gaithersburg diagnoses tooth decay at your six-month cleaning and checkup, you can be proactive about treating the tooth as soon as possible and much more easily with a dental filling. If you delay addressing the tooth, your decay may progress further until it reaches the nerve of your tooth and causes an infection. Now, you will need root canal therapy.
If you are noticing that your tooth is sensitive to hot or cold, this is also an excellent time to contact your dentist. This is another indicator of decay in your tooth, and your dentist can detect and treat it before it causes an infection.
See Dr. Daftary for regular preventative cleanings
The best way to avoid more complex treatment procedures like root canal therapy is to consistently visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. Contact Lakeforest Dental Associates for more information or to schedule your next appointment.