What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that we use to save your tooth after an infection has reached your tooth pulp. Before root canal therapy was available, when an infection reached the tooth pulp, that tooth had to be extracted. With root canal therapy available, we can help your natural smile last even longer.
How Does a Root Canal Work?
Each tooth in your mouth contains a pulp chamber filled with living connective tissue. The nerves in your teeth travel from this pulp chamber down small passages called “canals.” When an infection reaches your pulp chamber, the infection can hit these nerves and cause a serious, chronic toothache. If left untreated, this infection can spread to your adjacent teeth, or reach the blood stream where it could cause serious health problems. During a root canal procedure, your dentist will remove the infected tissue, disinfect the tooth, and seal the tooth off with a dental crown to protect and preserve your remaining tooth structure.
The Benefits of a Root Canal
- Relief | Root canal therapy provides meaningful relief to patients who are suffering from the chronic, severe, toothache associated with a tooth infection.
- Comfort | Once the toothache has been assuaged, patients will be able to feel good again and enjoy their day to day activities without any discomfort.
- Protection | Root canal therapy protects your tooth from worsening infection, and it protects your overall health by preventing the infection’s spread.
- Health | With a root canal treatment, we will be able to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth, or to your bloodstream where it could cause serious health problems if left untreated.
To find out more about our root canal therapy contact us at our office. If you suspect that your toothache might be a symptom of a tooth infection or other serious dental health risk, call us at our office immediately.