A root canal procedure is designed to treat an infection or inflammation deep within a tooth’s structure. The innermost chamber of the tooth contains the dental pulp, a soft tissue composed of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. When bacteria penetrate this space, often through deep decay or a crack, they cause a painful, progressive infection that will not resolve on its own. Ignoring this infection allows the bacteria to multiply unchecked, leading to severe health consequences that extend far beyond simple tooth discomfort.
Intensified Local Damage and Chronic Pain
An untreated infection within the dental pulp spreads down the root canal and out into the surrounding jawbone. This results in the formation of a dental abscess, a localized pocket of pus that collects at the root tip, leading to severe, throbbing pain. The pressure from this pus accumulation can be intense, often causing a persistent dull ache that is difficult to manage with typical pain medication.
The infection triggers chronic inflammation in the bone tissue around the tooth’s root, known as periapical periodontitis. Over time, the persistent infection can erode the surrounding jawbone, potentially leading to a widespread bone infection called osteomyelitis. This destruction of bone tissue compromises the structural integrity supporting the tooth and adjacent teeth.
Sometimes, the pressure from the abscess finds a path through the bone and gum tissue to drain into the mouth. This visible, pimple-like bump on the gums is called a draining sinus tract or fistula. Although the drainage might temporarily relieve the intense pressure and pain, it signals that a serious, ongoing infection is still present in the jawbone. If the infection spreads significantly within the soft tissues of the face and neck, it can cause visible, tender swelling outside the mouth.
Risk of Systemic Infection Spread
The localized infection within the tooth and jawbone poses a risk because it is directly connected to the rest of the body through the circulatory system. Bacteria from the periapical abscess can enter the bloodstream, allowing the infection to travel beyond the mouth and become systemic. This spread can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications as the pathogens colonize distant tissues and organs.
One immediate danger is cellulitis, a rapidly spreading bacterial infection of the soft tissues of the face, neck, or jaw. If this infection progresses into the deep neck spaces, it can lead to Ludwig’s angina, which causes severe swelling that may obstruct the airway, requiring immediate emergency medical intervention. The bacteria can also trigger sepsis, a life-threatening response where the body’s immune system overreacts to the infection, causing widespread inflammation and organ damage.
In documented cases, bacteria originating from a dental infection can travel to other vulnerable parts of the body. Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions are at risk for endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. In rare instances, the infection can ascend to the brain, leading to the formation of a brain abscess, a severe neurological complication.
Loss of the Tooth and Replacement Costs
When an infection is left untreated for an extended period, the damage to the tooth’s structure and the surrounding bone can become irreversible. The ongoing decay and bacterial destruction may reach a point where the tooth is deemed non-restorable, meaning the only viable option left is extraction. This permanent loss of the natural tooth creates new issues for the patient’s long-term oral health.
The space left by the extracted tooth can lead to adjacent teeth shifting out of alignment, which disrupts the bite and causes wear on other teeth. Furthermore, the absence of the tooth root stops the necessary stimulation of the jawbone in that area, causing the bone to atrophy or resorb over time. This loss of bone density can complicate future tooth replacement procedures and affect the structure of the jaw and face.
While a simple extraction may be the least expensive option upfront, the long-term costs often far exceed a root canal procedure. A root canal typically costs between $800 and $1,500, with a crown placement to follow. Conversely, extraction followed by a tooth replacement, such as a dental implant, often costs substantially more, ranging from $2,000 to over $4,000 for the implant and crown alone. Choosing inaction initially results in a higher complexity of treatment and a greater financial burden down the line.