Root canal therapy is responsible for preserving teeth that would otherwise be lost due to caries (decay), fracture, or structural breakdown. Not too long ago it was common to see adults wearing dentures because maintaining their natural teeth over a lifetime was difficult. Now, people have a much better quality of life due to 1) better preventitive dental strategies, 2) improved restorative dental procedures, and 3) root canal therapy.
So, back to the question…
Do root canals work? The simple answer is “yes,” but we need to first define success.
From a therapeutic standpoint, success should achieve 3 goals:
Minimal to no discomfort
Preserve or restore functional
Extend the life of the tooth for a period justifying the investment
With these goals in mind, it is important to recognize that every case we see will start with a different situation, and different set of variables that will need to be overcome in order to make it successful. For this very reason, Eastlake Endodontics will spend an appropriate ammount of time during your consultation visit to assess your unique situation explain the likelihood of success.
It is our opinion here that the patient should be informed of all of pertinent information and opitons relative to the situation so he or she can make the decision that is right for them.
In most cases, a tooth requiring root canal therapy can be saved an preserved for a long period of time, even a lifetime if managed appropriately. Without endodontic therapy, the tooth would be lost- and with it the function it would provide. There are some situations, however, where a successful outcome is not likely and other options should be considered. In these cases we consider it our professional obligation to inform the patient of our concerns and then try encourage a course that will be beneficial.