What are root canals?
Root canal treatment is a common endodontic procedure that eliminates bacteria from an infected root canal, the chamber at the center of your tooth containing soft tissue called the pulp.
The pulp inside your tooth consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that nourish your tooth while it’s growing. A fully-developed tooth can survive without the pulp. Root canal treatment involves removing infected pulp to relieve tooth pain and avoid extraction. This is the best way to preserve your natural tooth.
What do root canals treat?
The team at Sharon Springs Dental performs root canals to treat pulp that’s inflamed due to injury or infection. Common causes of damaged pulp include:
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Severe decay from an untreated cavity
- Multiple dental treatments on the same tooth
- A tooth injury that doesn’t cause chipping or cracking
Damage to the pulp can cause tooth pain, swollen gums, and lingering sensitivity to hot or cold. If you experience any of these symptoms, call Sharon Springs Dental right away.
What should I expect from root canal treatment?
Root canals occur right in the Sharon Springs Dental office. First, your dentist applies a topical numbing medication to the gum near your damaged tooth. Then, they inject a local anesthetic to alleviate discomfort during the procedure.
When your tooth is fully numb, your dentist uses special tools to make a small opening in the top and carefully remove the infected or injured pulp. They thoroughly clean out the inside of your tooth and may use a topical antibiotic to disinfect the root canal. Then, they fill and seal your tooth with a material called gutta-percha.
The team at Sharon Springs Dental highly recommends placing a permanent crown on top of a tooth that’s undergone a root canal. In addition to enhancing the appearance of your smile, a crown improves the success of root canal treatment.
You may experience some soreness after a root canal, but over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers are effective.
If you think you may need a root canal, call Sharon Springs Dental or request an appointment online today.
