ROOT CANAL THERAPY

 
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WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL:

Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp (*soft tissue inside your teeth containing blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue) becomes inflamed or infected. The nerve tissue can become affected due to a deep cavity, repeated dental procedures, fracture, or physical trauma to the tooth.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:

  • Spontaneous pain even when you’re not eating or drinking

  • Pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night- Toothache that worsens when pressure is applied or when eating/biting

  • Darkening/discoloration of a tooth

  • Recurring swelling of the gums

  • Tenderness in the gums

  • Extreme sensitivity to cold &/or heat

Ignoring these signs or symptoms can be detrimental to your oral health, and may lead to further complications including increased pain or an abscessed tooth, or even tooth loss. The sooner we are able to address the issue, the greater chance we have for success. If you are unsure about any of the symptoms you’re experiencing, CONTACT US for a consultation.

DURING YOUR ROOT CANAL:

During a root canal, the tooth is anesthetized in the same manner as when a cavity is filled. The anesthetization means that the root canal procedure should be painless.

Treatment will typically be completed in one or two appointments based on the health of the pulpal tissue. The inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. If your tooth was severely infected, we will opt to place medication in your canals before completing the root canal to effectively decontaminate & disinfect the tooth involved. A temporary filling will be used in between treatments to keep the area sterile. The height of the tooth is reduced so that this new tooth is not an active player in the bite.

With proper care, most teeth that have undergone a root canal treatment can last a lifetime!