If you have a toothache that just won’t go away, you might need some root canal therapy. Don’t worry, though. Despite all the horror stories you may have heard, this treatment is pretty straightforward and necessary to eliminate pain.
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats an infected or damaged tooth. It involves removing the impacted pulp, or the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. Then, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected before being sealed with a filling material to prevent further infection or damage.
A root canal treatment can be an effective way to save a damaged or infected tooth and avoid the need for extraction. Some common reasons a root canal may be necessary include:
Before the procedure begins, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. Next, they will create a small access hole in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp and use special dental instruments to carefully remove it. They’ll clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth to remove any remaining bacteria and prevent further infection.
Afterward, the dentist will fill the inside of the tooth with a special filling material to seal it and prevent further infection. In most cases, a root canal-treated tooth must be restored with a crown or other dental restoration to support and protect the tooth from further damage.
If you think you might benefit from root canal therapy, the Turtle Creek Dental Care team is ready to help. Contact our office today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.