Root Canal Therapy

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Are you worried about getting a root canal?

Root canals have long been one of the most feared procedures in dentistry.

Today, however, dentistry has evolved to the point where root canal therapy is no longer the painful procedure it once was. It’s time to look past the bad reputation of the root canal and see it for the valuable, pain-relieving procedure it actually is.

Root Canal Treatment

Anatomically speaking, the root canal is the area of the tooth that houses the pulp and nerve. Sometimes this part of the tooth can become infected.

When this happens, not only is the tooth painful and sensitive, the infection can also spread to other areas of the mouth as well as other teeth. The most effective way to treat this infection is root canal therapy.

Once the anaesthetic takes hold and patients are completely numb, the dentist will create a small hole in the tooth. Working through the hole, the infected material will be drained out along with the pulp and any other debris. The interior of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned out to make sure that no infection is left. An antibiotic medication may be placed inside the tooth to prevent further infection.

The tooth will then be filled and a cap or crown will most likely be placed. This is necessary because the structure of the tooth will be weakened, and a restoration will protect the tooth from breakage and also allow patients to chew comfortably.

When Is a Root Canal Needed?

Patients experiencing any of these signs or symptoms should call our office. They may have an infection that requires treatment.

• Severe pain in one or more teeth
• Pain that is aggravated by chewing or other pressure
• Pain and sensitivity aggravated by hot or cold temperatures
• Darkening of one or more teeth
• A “pimple” on the gums
• Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek

Call our office to make an appointment. Root canal therapy may be necessary to get rid of your pain and reduce your stress.