What Is a Root Canal Treatment and When Is It Required?
A tooth’s root canal is the natural hollow in its center that contains the tooth pulp. Root canal therapy is an endodontic treatment required to repair a tooth when the inner pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, fractures, or trauma. Damaged tooth pulp, left untreated, can cause a host of complications, including severe pain, swelling, and an abscess, potentially causing bone loss around the affected tooth’s roots.
Root canal therapy is a relatively comfortable and painless procedure that saves and restores the health of a tooth that may otherwise require extraction. Losing a tooth is a serious matter. Even though many dental restorations, including bridges or implants, deliver natural-looking and feeling results, nothing compares to maintaining your healthy, natural teeth.
What Are the Symptoms of Inflammed or Infected Tooth Pulp?
Symptoms of pulp tissue damage include severe tooth pain, sensitivity to temperature extremes, tooth discoloration, swollen and tender gums, and a pimple-like bump on the gums indicating an abscess. At times, you may require root canal therapy but have no symptoms. That is why we recommend scheduling your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings. If we detect a problem, we will address it promptly to prevent its progression.
What Should You Expect During the Root Canal Procedure?
We will start by numbing the area around the affected tooth using a local anesthetic for your comfort. We will make a small opening in the affected tooth to remove the damaged pulp, then will clean, sterilize, and shape the space. The final step is filling the root canals and sealing them off.
After root canal treatment, the tooth is prone to fracture and will require a dental crown to protect it. That involves shaping your tooth to accommodate the restoration, then making impressions of your teeth that our dental laboratory will use to create your new crown. We will place a temporary crown to protect your tooth while waiting for your permanent one to get ready.
During a follow-up appointment, we will make sure your new restoration provides a perfect fit and will make any adjustments needed before cementing it onto your treated tooth. Once in place, your dental crown will restore your tooth strength, appearance, and function.
Gentle Root Canal Treatment Near Me
Contact OliveTree Dentistry to learn more about our gentle root canal treatments designed to preserve damaged teeth. We are committed to providing outstanding, gentle care in a calm and comfortable environment. There is no reason to live with pain. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
