What Causes Root Canals?

A root canal is a surgical procedure a dentist performs by repairing the damaged area that has been infected or is abscessed in order to save the tooth and prevent extraction. The root canal is the area where the tooth's nerve is located inside of a pulp chamber, which is responsible for sensory feelings of the tooth. Pain, sensitivity, discoloration, swelling and tenderness are the most commonly reported symptoms of a root canal issue. The causes that would require a root canal vary depending on the individual but can include decay, multiple dental procedures and trauma to the tooth.

Decay

• Cavities can be prevented with proper dental hygiene.

  The most common cause of a root canal is decay caused by cavities in the pulp area of the tooth. According to MedicineNet, cavities are reported in over 90 percent of the population. A cavity in the root canal occurs when bacteria enters the inner area of the tooth where the root is present and produces acids. These acids cause demineralization or holes in the teeth. When the decay enters the pulp area, it will cause damage and could cause pain, death of the pulp area, or a tooth abscess. The patient has two choices to either undergo a root canal to remove the infected pulp area or undergo a tooth extraction.

Multiple Dental Procedures

• Dental procedures are performed routinely or on an emergency basis.

  A person who undergoes multiple dental procedures to either fix an infected tooth or to replace fillings is more likely to need a future root canal. The need to replace fillings arises when bacteria or food particles enter the area between the tooth and filling and causes decay to occur. If left untreated, the decay can travel down to the pulp area of the tooth causing the infection or abscess in the canal area. When multiple dental procedures are performed, the tooth weakens and the integrity of the tooth is compromised, allowing an increased risk of dental complications.

Trauma

• When trauma occurs to a tooth from either an accident or damage, there is high risk of a future root canal. If the tooth is fractured or broken to the extent that the nerve root is exposed, a root canal will decrease the pain and swelling that is commonly present in a traumatic incident. However,in some incidences of trauma to a tooth, symptoms do not present right away. Trauma to a tooth is common in children who are very active and have normal accidents causing impact to the facial area, such as bike riding, skating and skateboarding. These accidents don't cause trauma symptoms right away, but may weaken the tooth and cause issues later in life when the child becomes an adult.