What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
Inside every tooth is a space called the pulp chamber, containing the tooth pulp with its blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Tooth pulp inflammation or infection can result from severe decay, a tooth chip or fracture, or repeated dental procedures. Root canal therapy treats the infection, helping relieve your discomfort and saving your natural tooth.
Warning signs of tooth pulp damage requiring a root canal treatment include:
- Persistent tooth pain or discoloration
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Swelling of the gums around the tooth
- A pimple-like bump on your gums
What Happens If You Delay a Needed Root Canal Treatment?
Delaying a needed root canal can lead to complications, including facial swelling, the infection spreading to your surrounding teeth and jawbone, and bone loss around the infected tooth's root. The infection can even enter the bloodstream, leaving your health at risk. A root canal treatment can avoid the need for extraction and replacing the affected tooth with a dental bridge or implant. Keeping your natural teeth intact is always our top goal and the best option for your smile.
What Is the Root Canal Process?
Your root canal process will begin with meticulous planning. We use CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) 3D imaging to evaluate your affected tooth's root canals and uncover unusual or complex root canal anatomy. Our CBCT scans help guide treatment planning, reduce the risk of complications, and enhance your treatment outcomes.
A root canal process typically takes two appointments to complete. One for the treatment itself, and a follow-up visit to place your restoration. We will start by numbing the treatment area for your comfort and are happy to offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation, as needed, to help you feel calm and relaxed during treatment.
Once your mouth is numb and you are completely comfortable, we will gently remove the infected or damaged pulp tissue, clean the root canals, place a biocompatible material known as gutta-percha to prevent reinfection, and seal the space with a temporary or permanent filling followed by crown prep to protect the root canal-treated tooth.
Restoring Your Tooth After a Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal treatment, the tooth can become brittle and prone to breakage, which is why we typically recommend fortifying it with a dental crown in an upcoming appointment. Your treated tooth will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?
The following is a look at some of the key benefits of root canal therapy:
- Relieves Pain: Removing the infection that can leave you with extreme pain and pressure can provide you with immediate relief.
- Saves Natural Teeth: A root canal treatment can save a damaged tooth, which is the best option whenever possible.
- Restores Function: Your root canal-treated tooth will look and function like your natural teeth, restoring your smile's health and appearance.
- Enhances Your Health: Root canal therapy removes the infection at its source, preventing it from spreading, enhancing your oral health and general well-being.
- Long-Lasting: With meticulous oral hygiene practices and regular dental exams and cleanings, the affected tooth can enhance your smile for decades, or even a lifetime.
