Your teeth aren’t just hard pieces of enamel and dentin; they house intricate structures that protect a delicate core. This delicate core contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, and if it is infected, the only way to relieve your pain is with root canal therapy.
Despite the many myths, horror stories, and jokes surrounding it, root canal treatment is a safe, comfortable procedure that saves natural teeth from extraction while relieving pain. It’s also a cost-effective solution to removing a damaged tooth rather than replacing it with an artificial one.
Root canals are used to treat a tooth’s pulp when it becomes inflamed or infected, typically due to deep decay, traumatic injury, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth. These conditions expose the pulp to bacteria that cause infection. The most common symptom of an infected or inflamed tooth is severe tooth pain, but you may also experience sensitivity to hot and cold, prolonged swelling of the gums or mouth, discoloration, or tenderness when chewing or applying pressure.
The purpose of root canal therapy is to remove the infected or dead pulp, clean and disinfect the inside of your tooth, then fill and seal the space. The process is a crucial part of restorative dentistry, a treatment that aims to save and restore your natural tooth structure. A root canal can be completed in just a few appointments, and once it’s done, you should be able to use the tooth as you normally would.
A root canal is necessary when the pulp in a tooth becomes infected, causing pain and swelling. To treat it, a local dentist in Torrance, CA will remove the injured tissue and clean the area to prevent further infection. The tooth will then be sealed with a dental filling or crown to protect it and prevent further decay.
Infected or inflamed teeth aren’t just painful; they can cause additional problems, including damage to the jaw bone that supports the tooth, spreading infection to other parts of your body, or causing other dental complications. If left untreated, the infection can even enter your bloodstream, potentially posing serious health risks.
While you may need a root canal for a debilitating toothache, the procedure can also be necessary if your dentist detects an infection during a routine check-up or emergency appointment. During a root canal, your dentist will create a small opening in the tooth to access the infected area, then carefully cleanses and seals each of its inner canals. She will then place a tooth-colored restoration like a filling or a dental crown to cover the treated tooth and protect it from future infection.
While some minor discomfort and swelling is to be expected after your root canal, most patients remark that the treatment feels similar to having a regular filling. With proper oral care and follow-up, the restored tooth will last for years to come.