Root Canals

Root Canals: Saving Your Teeth

Root canal treatment is a solution for saving damaged teeth. This procedure involves one to three office visits and can significantly improve oral health.

Why Root Canals?

While a tooth's nerve is not essential for its function, it can become infected due to cracks, deep cavities, or bacteria. If left untreated, this infection can lead to pain, swelling, and even an abscess. Without proper treatment, the tooth may need to be extracted.

Signs You Need Root Canal Treatment

Although not always painful, teeth requiring root canals often exhibit symptoms like:

Severe toothache
Pain when chewing or applying pressure
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Darkened tooth discoloration
Swelling or tenderness in nearby gums
Abscess formation (a pus-filled pocket around the root of the tooth)

The Root Canal Process

During a root canal, your dentist or endodontist (a specialist in root canal therapy) follows a series of steps:

Numb the Area: The dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth.
Access the Pulp: The dentist will drill a small hole on top of the tooth to access the infected pulp.
Remove Infected Tissue: Using specialized tools, the dentist removes the infected or damaged pulp tissue.
Clean and Shape the Root Canals: The dentist will clean and shape the root canals to ensure the complete removal of bacteria and debris.
Fill the Root Canals: The dentist will fill the root canals with a special dental material called gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is a rubber-like material that helps seal the canals and prevent bacteria from re-entering.
Sealing the Tooth: The dentist will seal the opening in the tooth with a dental filling or crown. A crown may be necessary if the tooth is significantly damaged or weakened.

Benefits of Root Canals

Root canals offer several advantages, including:

Saving a Tooth: Root canals can preserve natural teeth, which is often preferable to extraction.
Preventing Infection: Treating an infected tooth prevents the spread of infection to other teeth and tissues.
Relieving Pain: Root canal therapy can eliminate pain and discomfort caused by a diseased tooth.
Improving Oral Health: A healthy tooth can contribute to overall oral health and function.

Aftercare

Following a root canal, it's crucial to:

Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has fully healed.
Take any prescribed medications as directed.
Practice good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash regularly.
Schedule regular dental checkups to monitor the health of your restored tooth.

With proper care, a root canal can provide a long-lasting solution for a damaged tooth.