Can Antibiotics Prevent Root Canal Treatment?

Have you recently gone to the dentist to get a toothache looked at? Did the dentists at Smiles of Lalor tell you that you need root canal treatment?

If so, this means that the nerve inside your tooth is damaged. You may be wondering if taking an antibiotic can help and if it’ll prevent you from having to go through with the root canal altogether.

This is a good question that many patients have!

Antibiotics Aren’t A Cure for Root Canal Damage

While certain antibiotics are helpful in reducing the amount of pain and infection in a tooth, they are by no means a cure. Once the nerve is damaged, it will need to be removed via endodontic therapy.

When Are Antibiotics Used?

A large amount of inflammation and infection can make root canal treatment more difficult for the dentist, and painful for the patient. In this case, taking a round of antibiotics leading up to nerve treatment can make the procedure run smoother as the tooth is easier to numb.

Also, if you need some time before you can schedule your treatment, you may be prescribed antibiotics to keep the infection at bay in the meantime. However, once told that you need this treatment, you should make every effort to get it done as soon as possible.

If you were told you need root canal therapy and weren’t offered an antibiotic, ask our Smiles of Lalor dentist if you need one. It’s not necessary in all cases.

Other Treatment Options

While root canals are a highly successful dental treatment, they’re not always preferred. Some infections are too severe, or your tooth may have abnormal nerve anatomy that’s hard to maneuver. In these cases, we may recommend a more predictable treatment like extracting the tooth and placing a dental implant.

We’re Here to Help

If you’ve been experiencing tooth pain and think you may need a root canal, then give us a call today. We’re here to help you smile better!