Root canal therapy saves millions of teeth each year.
A root canal is a necessary treatment when tooth decay is rapid or goes undetected for an extended period of time, allowing the decay to reach the pulp of the tooth or there is an infection. The pulp is the living tissue inside the canal of a tooth’s root. When decay or infection reaches the pulp of a tooth and the surrounding area a root canal is the best option for preserving a natural tooth that has extreme decay.
What are signs for potential root canal therapy?
- Extreme pain
- A pimple on the gums
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Sensitivity to sweets
- A bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
- Throbbing toothaches
- Swelling
A root canal consists of removing the decayed pulp of your tooth and filling the canal with a special medicated dental material to combat the decay and/or infection. After the decay and/or infection has been cleared out and the whole area cleaned thoroughly, the empty cavity of the tooth is filled in order to prevent further infection. Often, a root canal is completed with a core build-up and then covered with a crown. Recent advances in technology and training allows our skillful dentists to perform a root canal with minimal discomfort. While the root canal was seriously dreaded in years past, it has become a routine procedure.
Root canals are the best course of action if you want to save your tooth. The Essentials Dental team wants you to keep as much of your original smile as possible. We recommend root canals as a means to accomplishing that objective.