Root Canal Therapy
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Every single tooth has a small inner pulp that houses the blood supply and nerves specific for keeping that tooth vital and healthy. If this pulp becomes infected or has been exposed, it’ll need to be removed via a root canal. Root canal therapy is one of the most common procedures performed in the dental field. It is essential for saving the structure of the tooth and preventing full extraction.
Why is Root Canal Therapy needed?
Typically, a root canal is needed if a tooth had a cavity that was ignored for too long. Over time, the decay (cavity) is able to get worse and will eventually become deep enough to infect the pulp. Another reason root canal therapy is needed is because one or more of your teeth have cracked or broken. This may cause the pulp to become exposed, which can cause severe pain and tooth sensitivity.
Who is a good candidate for Root Canal Therapy?
The most common sign for needing a root canal is sensitivity to hot and cold liquids as well as severe tooth pain. Oftentimes, the sensitivity and pain are specific to one tooth, signaling a problem with that tooth’s pulp. We can identify the need for a root canal with the help of an examination and dental x-ray. If you need a root canal, we advise that you have it done sooner rather than later to prevent further problems.
What happens during Root Canal Therapy?
We can administer either a local or general anesthetic according to your needs and desires. We will then remove any decay from the tooth and take out the entire pulp using specialized tools. The canals of the roots are thoroughly scraped and cleaned to remove any remaining pulp. Once this is finished, the canals will be filled with a thick, medicated material that prevents reinfection. Filling material is then used to fill in the hole that was created in the tooth. It is not uncommon to eventually need a crown over a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy because it is weaker and more vulnerable to breaking.
If you think you might need root canal therapy and want to learn more about the procedure, call us today and we will be happy to assist you.
