How Root Canals Can Help Your Natural Teeth

Tooth pain often signals an underlying issue that requires professional attention to resolve effectively. Modern endodontic therapy offers a way to alleviate pain and save the natural tooth structure. A root canal treatment removes infection from inside the tooth, and it allows the patient to keep their original dentition for years to come. Here is more information on root canals:

What Are Root Canals?

Root canals are dental procedures designed to treat infection or inflammation within the pulp of a tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, and it extends from the crown of the tooth down to the tip of the roots. When this tissue becomes infected or inflamed, removing it prevents the spread of infection to the surrounding bone.

Common symptoms indicating the need for this treatment include severe pain while chewing or biting. Patients also experience prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, and this sensation may persist even after the heat or cold has been removed. Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums also suggest that the pulp is damaged or infected.

Why Are They Performed?

Deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or a crack in the tooth irritates the pulp. If left untreated, the infection can cause pain or it can lead to an abscess forming at the root end. This condition necessitates intervention to relieve discomfort and prevent the extraction of the compromised tooth.

Trauma to a tooth may also damage the pulp, even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. The pulp may die as a result of the injury, and the tooth will eventually darken or become painful. A root canal treatment removes necrotic tissue and restores the tooth to a healthy state.

What Does the Process Involve?

The dentist begins by examining the tooth and taking X-rays to see the shape of the root canals. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area near the tooth, so the patient remains comfortable throughout the procedure. A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber.

Using small instruments, the dentist removes the infected or inflamed pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals. They clean and shape the space, and this effectively prepares the interior for the filling material. This careful cleaning eliminates bacteria and debris from the delicate channels within the tooth roots.

Once the space is cleaned and shaped, the dentist fills the root canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to completely seal the canals. A temporary filling is placed to close the opening, or the dentist may proceed directly to placing a permanent restoration, such as a crown.

What Are the Benefits?

The primary benefit of a root canal is the preservation of the natural tooth structure. Keeping the natural tooth maintains the proper alignment of the remaining teeth, and it prevents jawbone deterioration that often follows extraction. Patients can continue to eat foods without difficulty or discomfort. Another benefit is the elimination of pain and infection in the oral cavity, with healing beginning after treatment is completed.

Help Your Natural Teeth Now

Delaying treatment for an infected tooth can lead to more severe complications and the eventual loss of the tooth. A root canal procedure offers a safe solution, and it effectively restores oral health by eliminating infection. Contact a dental professional today to discuss treatment options or schedule an exam if you are experiencing tooth pain.