Root canal treatment (RCT) is a dental procedure that is performed to save a severely infected tooth when the infection has spread to the pulp due to deep tooth decay or a crack in the tooth. This treatment saves an individual from severe tooth pain and helps to restore the badly decayed tooth.
It is a general belief about root canal treatment that it lasts for a lifetime, which is not an accurate statement to make. Root canal treatments are long-lasting; in some cases it may last for a lifetime, but we can not assume the same for all cases. Root canal treatments, in general, last 10-20 years.
Hence, an obvious question arises: What is the life expectancy of a root canal? Answer is
The life span of an RCT depends on several factors, such as treatment quality, oral hygiene, and many others. In this blog, we will explore all the factors that affect root canals' lifespan and will provide some key tips for a long-lasting RCT treatment.
Factors That Affect The Lifespan Of A Root Canal
Root canal is one of the best dental procedures to remove the infection from the tooth pulp and restore the tooth. However, if you are wondering “how long a root canal lasts,” then you must know that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because it depends on multiple factors, such as:
1. Quality Of The Treatment
The quality of the performed treatment matters because a good quality root canal removes all the infection and debris from the pulp, disinfects, and seals the tooth decay properly. This reduces the chance of getting reinfection, which automatically increases the lifespan of the treated tooth.
While this is not the case with the below-par quality root can treatment. In a low-quality RCT, the chances of reinfection are high, which might affect the treatment life expectancy.
2. Tooth Condition before The Treatment
The condition of the tooth before the treatment also matters. A timely root canal treatment will prevent the infection from damaging teeth to the severity and keep the teeth in good condition. Hence, the restoration of the teeth became easy and long-lasting.
On the other hand, if the tooth is already damaged too much before the treatment, then a root canal may not work well, or it is also a possibility that it may even make the situation worse. It can result in tooth extraction and may need an implant later.
3. Location Of The Treatment
A root canal's longevity also depends on tooth location. For example, Root canal treatment on front teeth typically lasts longer because it undergoes less stress, as they are used for biting rather than grinding.
In contrast, you can take the example of back molars, located in the inner mouth, which are chewing teeth that handle heavy pressure every time you eat. Because of this, root canals in back teeth are more prone to fracture and often require more robust protection to last a lifetime.
4. Quality of Dental Crown
In a root canal treatment, after filling the tooth decay, the dentist fixes a dental crown on the treated tooth. Dental crowns are used to seal the tooth filling as the final restoration process. It helps to prevent the chances of reinfection and increase the treatment lifespan.
Now, suppose the dental crown is made of low-quality material and does not fit properly on the teeth. It allows the saliva bacteria to reach the inner parts of the teeth, which will lead to infection
5. Patient Age
If the patient is relatively young and taking timely treatment, then the chance of the root canal lasting longer is good because younger people's teeth, gums, and jaw are stronger
However, as we grow older, our teeth and gums get weaker and less reliable. Therefore, root canal treatment may not be very long-lasting for patients from the older age group and might be effective only for a few years.
6. Follow-up Visits To The Dentist
Sometimes you may need follow-up dental visits after having a root canal procedure. For example, if you are getting timely treatment, then the doctor may immediately fix the dental crown.
However, if the tooth is already decayed too much, then the dentist will suggest a follow-up visit for scaling or cleaning and fixing the dental crown. These follow-up visits are important for quality treatment and its longevity.
A quality root canal lasts longer and stays trouble-free. However, if it starts failing, then you will notice some signs about it.
Signs Your Root Canal May Be Failing
If the treated teeth get reinfection, that means the root canal treatment may have failed, and the following symptoms may appear shortly thereafter
- Persistent Pain: You will start to feel a persistent pain in the mouth where the treatment was performed, especially while chewing or biting
- Sensitivity: The treated teeth and area will become sensitive once again to hot and cold. These sensitivities will last for a long time. This is a sign that the root canal is failing. A treated tooth shouldn’t have strong temperature sensitivity.
- Swelling: Gums may swell near the treated tooth. You can feel tenderness when you touch the treated area. Sometimes this swelling can spread to the face or jaw in more serious cases.
- A pimple or pus on the gums: You may notice a small bump that may release pus. This is often called a “gum boil”. This usually indicates an ongoing infection under the tooth.
- Bad taste or smell: Once the treatment has started to fail, your teeth will get a reinfection, and you will sense a persistent bad taste in your mouth
A poor-quality root canal has a higher chance of failing. If you don't want to have an RCT that fails in the near future, then get quality treatment at a reputable clinic or hospital.
If you are looking for a quality root canal treatment in Patna, you can visit Dr. Sachin’s Dental Clinic in Patna. Dr. Sachin is a highly experienced dentist who follows globally accepted techniques to perform root canal treatment. At Dr. Sachin Clinic, 35000+ successful RCTs have been performed till now and counting.
Tips to Make Your Root Canal Last Longer
A root canal-treated tooth can last for years, even a lifetime, if you take care of it properly. The following are the tips that may help your treated teeth last longer than usual.
- Get A Crown: You should definitely get a dental crown after the RCT treatment, either immediately or in follow-up visits after the dentist consultation. Skipping the dental crown is one of the most common reasons for RCT failures.
- Oral Hygiene: You should maintain strong oral hygiene. Remember to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss and rinse your mouth at least once a day to prevent any build-up near the treated area.
- Avoid Excessive Pressure: You should not chew hard items like ice, pens, or hard candies. Additionally, avoid grinding your teeth and avoid chewing tobacco, as it weakens the teeth.
- Regular Dental Checkups: You should pay a visit to your dentist regularly. A regular dental checkup will help you to maintain the treated teeth and the overall oral health.
- Nutritious Diet: Patient should eat a balanced diet to support oral health, such as foods that contain vitamins A, B, D, calcium, and omega-3. Also, limit or avoid sugary and sticky foods to prevent any new decay.
- If Something Feels Off, Seek Professional Help Quickly: if you suddenly start to feel a persistent pain, swelling, or a bad taste in your mouth, then you should never ignore these signs and visit your dentist. Early treatment can save the tooth again.
The above-mentioned tips will not just protect your root canal treatment from failing, but also support the overall oral health.
When Should You Visit A Dentist After RCT?
A root canal-treated tooth is repaired but is also fragile for a while. Therefore, we have to visit the dentist several times to monitor it regularly. You should pay a visit to your dentist after an RCT as follows.
- You can visit the dentist within a week to monitor the healing process of the treated teeth, or if you have any severe pain, swelling, or discomfort that’s not improving.
- Plan your second visit to the dentist between the 1st and 2nd week to get a dental crown.
- You should visit your dentist a few days after getting a crown to monitor the crown fitting and any other related issues.
- After the 3rd visit of RCT follow-up visits, if everything turns out fine, then you can follow your old regular visit routine, which is visiting the dentist every 6 months for regular dental check-ups.
RCT follow-up visits and regular dental check-ups are important for the longevity of treated teeth and the overall mouth health. For top-quality dental checkups to painless root canal treatment in Patna, Dr. Sachin’s Dental Clinic is ready to help you with a wide range of treatments.
At the leading dental clinic in Patna, we'll examine your dental issue and will tailor a personalised treatment plan for safe, effective, and affordable treatment. So wait no more and book your appointment now.
Conclusion
Root canal treatment is a highly effective treatment option for teeth that have been damaged to the nerves and pulp due to bacterial infection. This treatment cleans, disinfects, and fills the damaged teeth.
Root canal treatment helps to restore damaged teeth and eliminates the need for extraction and dental implants.
Furthermore, a RCT treated teeth last for a longer time, usually for one to two decades, or may last for a lifetime if you take proper care of the treated tooth. Follow the tips we have provided you, and reduce the chances of reinfection in the treated teeth.
Also, if you are looking for affordable and painless RCT, book your appointment at the best dental clinic in Patna today!
