Root Canals
What are Root Canals?
Root canals are valuable dental procedures that treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the tissue and nerve endings inside the tooth root. When infected, patients can experience pain, swelling, and even total tooth loss unless treated. Root canals remove damaged parts of the tooth and infected root.
In some cases, an antibiotic prescription helps prevent further infection within the tooth. The organic portion of the tooth that remains may restore using a cap or crown that provides a natural appearance and normal tooth function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for a root canal?
You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage allows bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. In addition, if you prefer not to extract both your healthy and diseased teeth, a root canal is a potential for you. Schedule a dental exam and consultation to see if a root canal is right for you.
What should I expect during my root canals’ treatment?
If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and potentially treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
What type of post-treatment care is required after a root canal?
It is normal for teeth to become inflamed after a root canal, potentially causing sensitivity for the first several days following treatment. However, normal brushing and flossing habits can be resumed immediately after treatment and restoration are complete.
