WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?

Want to learn about Root Canals? Sometimes, a tooth may become decayed or infected to the point that the inside of the tooth is affected. When the pulp, which contains all of the nerves of the tooth, becomes damaged, it is important to receive treatment quickly. A damaged pulp can cause symptoms such as:

• Severe toothache
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Pimple on the gums
• Swelling in the gums
• Darkening of the damaged tooth

Eventually, you will lose the damaged tooth if you go without treatment. Root canal therapy can save your natural tooth and relieve all of the pain you may feel when the pulp is damaged. During a root canal, your dentist will remove the pulp. He will then clean out the inside of the tooth and seal it, protecting it from future damage. Your tooth will still function without the pulp and you will feel much more comfortable on a daily basis.

ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE

After administering an X-ray to learn more about the shape of your root canals, your dentist will numb the damaged area of your mouth with local anesthesia. He will use a dental dam to separate your damaged tooth from the others. He will then drill a small access hole into the tooth so that he can clean it out. He will use root canal files to gently clean out the pulp and  bacteria from your root canals. After the inside of the tooth is clean, your dentist will seal the tooth with a rubber compound. He will also fill the tooth with a regular tooth-colored filling.

ROOT CANAL RESULTS

If you choose to receive root canal therapy, you will enjoy the following results:

• A 95% success rate
• Teeth that last a lifetime
• No more pain or sensitivity
• Properly working teeth