When You Need A Root Canal.
If you’re experiencing continual toothaches, you could need a root canal. There are two parts to each tooth: the pulp and the nerve. The nerve is the remains of the tissue that originally formed the tooth. Once the tooth has been in the mouth for a time, the function of the nerve is no longer necessary.
The pulp is soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. When a tooth is cracked, chipped, seriously injured or you experience a deep cavity, these are all opportunities for bacteria to infect the pulp. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, treatment is needed. When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result.
What Is A Root Canal?
Treatment for your infection can be achieved in one to three visits. Our dental team will give you anesthetics to make your dental procedure as comfortable as possible. During treatment, your general dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in problems of the pulp) removes the diseased pulp. We locate the root end and remove the infected pulp and clean the pulp chamber and root canal. Finally, we seal the canal and place and a crown on the tooth to prevent future infection. Then, as long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups so that the root(s) of the restored tooth are nourished by the surrounding tissues, your restored tooth can last a lifetime. Most of the time a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!
