Root Canal Therapy
You may need root canal therapy if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Extreme hot and / or cold sensitivity
- Pain on biting
- Lingering pain
- Swelling of the gums
- Dull aching of the tooth or gums
Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Even if one of your teeth becomes injured or diseased, it often can be saved through root canal (endodontic) treatment. To help you understand this procedure, we have answered some often asked questions about this treatment.
What is root canal treatment?
Your dentist uses root canal treatment to find the cause and then treat problems of the tooth's soft core (the dental pulp). Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment has given dentists a safe way of saving teeth.What is the dental pulp?
The pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaws.
What happens if the pulp gets injured?
When the pulp is diseased or injured and can't repair itself, it dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can let germs (bacteria) enter the pulp. Germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. Left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip, in the jawbone, forming a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth.Why does the pulp need to be removed?
When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. Certain byproducts of the infection can injure your jaw bones. Without treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.What does treatment involve?
Treatment often involves from one to three visits. During treatment, your dentist removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed.Next -> More on Root Canals