Even one missing tooth can have a profound effect on your smile. In addition to the obvious change to your appearance, a lost tooth may 
make eating or even speaking challenging. Fortunately, root canal therapy, offered by your Fenton, MO, dentists, Dr. Thomas Kemlage and Dr. Andrew Kemlage, can help you protect your smile.
Why are root canals needed?
The soft pulp at the center of your tooth is covered by hard dentin and enamel layers. Although these layers protect the pulp, it can become infected or inflamed due to cracks or chips in a tooth, blows to the mouth, repeated dental procedures, or severe decay.
Root canal therapy removes the infected or inflamed pulp and replaces it with a durable filling. Once the pulp is removed, pain and other symptoms end.
What happens if I don't have a root canal?
If you develop an abscess in the tooth, you might experience severe, throbbing pain caused by the bacterial infection. Other abscess symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, facial swelling, tender gums, pus, or a bump on the gum.
If the bacteria destroys the nerves in the tooth, you won't feel pain any longer. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that the infection is gone. It will continue to spread and will put your oral and general health at risk. Root canal therapy not only saves your tooth but protects your health.
Can my tooth function normally without pulp?
Pulp was essential while your tooth was forming, but isn't absolutely necessary now. In fact, you'll be able to bite and chew normally with the tooth after your root canal. Your Fenton dentist may recommend a dental crown to protect the tooth, but you shouldn't notice any difference in the feel or function of the tooth after root canal therapy. Best of all, you won't have a gap in your smile.
Do you think you might need root canal therapy? Call your Fenton, MO, dentists, Dr. Thomas Kemlage and Dr. Andrew Kemlage, at (636) 225-1777 to schedule your appointment.