Root Canal

Root Canal Therapy

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Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay
or infection.  In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the
tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space
is cleaned and filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore
the tooth to its full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a
tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed.  Many patients
believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is
not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly
and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime,
although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

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Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

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- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Sometimes no symptoms are present.
- Swelling and/or tenderness.

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Reasons for root canal therapy:

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- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
- Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
- Injury or trauma to the tooth.
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After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the
inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.
You will be given care instructions after root canal appointment.  Good oral
hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root
canal treatment.

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