An infection in your tooth that attacks the pulp and nerve tissue and causes it to degenerate requires root canal treatment. Infection can cause toothache pain, as well as inflamed tissue around the tooth. If left untreated, this infection can create an abscess, causing the tooth to become loose and possibly even damaging the jawbone. A root canal procedure will save the tooth, remove the infection and return surrounding tissues to a healthy condition.
Teeth can become irritated and inflamed for a variety of reasons, including deep decay, too-large fillings or injury, a chipped tooth, or even repeated dental work.
There are five steps in a root canal procedure:
Symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal include tooth pain, tender and swollen gums, a tooth that becomes discolored, or one that is particularly sensitive to heat and cold. Your general dentist will examine the tooth for signs of inflamed and infected pulp to see if a root canal procedure is required.
Many things can cause damage to the dental pulp, including cavities and cracked fillings, chipped teeth, sports injuries and other events that allow harmful bacteria to enter the tooth. Even if there are no external indications of damage, decay could be spreading in the tooth pulp and causing nerve damage. If you have a painful tooth or inflamed, sore gums you should have it examined by your general dentist.
When damage has progressed to the point that nerves inside the tooth die and the tooth can no longer receive the organic nutrients and moisture it requires, root canal therapy is often the only way to preserve the tooth and protect the jawbone.
Most patients report some discomfort in the days following root canal therapy. In most cases this can be treated with over-the-counter medication. In more extreme cases, where infection is still present, the general dentist may prescribe an antibiotic and prescription-strength pain reliever.
Do not chew directly on the repaired tooth until final restoration is complete, or else your tooth may crack. Final restoration should be completed as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of reinfection in the treated canal.
Like any medical or dental treatment, root canal therapy can involve complications. These complications are the exception rather than the norm, but in the event your root canal therapy is unsuccessful the general dentist can offer alternative options, such as repeating the treatment or extracting the infected tooth.
Bonnie Doon Dental Associates is easy to find, located just 3 blocks north of Whyte Avenue on 91st Street. Free Parking is also available across the street!
Bonnie Doon Dental Associates is easy to find, located just 3 blocks north of Whyte Avenue on 91st Street. Free Parking is also available across the street!
