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Root Canals
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. Root canal procedures are performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve, decay, and bacteria is removed and the resulting space is cleaned, medicated, and sealed. Although root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. The discomfort experienced in the period leading up to the dental care is truly the painful period of time, not the root canal procedure itself. After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth heals.
After completion of the root canal, your doctor will decide which type of restoration is necessary to protect to your tooth. In most cases, the treated tooth needs to have a crown placed to restore the tooth to its full function, protecting it from recurrent decay or infection and further breakdown.
Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Swelling and/or tenderness
- Sometimes no symptoms are present
Reasons for root canal therapy:
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
- Infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
- Injury or trauma to the tooth