What is a root canal?
A root canal is a vital dental procedure used to save a tooth from extraction when the soft tissue inside the tooth becomes infected or inflamed. This procedure involves removing the infected pulp, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then filling and sealing it to prevent future infections. Root canal treatments not only alleviate pain and discomfort but also help preserve the natural tooth structure, allowing for normal biting and chewing function.
Symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal include:
- Increased Sensitivity: Especially to hot or cold stimuli.
- Persistent Tooth and/or Jaw Pain: Continuous discomfort or sharp pain in the affected area.
- Cracks or Chips: Visible fractures or chips in the tooth.
- Large Cavities: Cavities that have progressed to reach the inner pulp of the tooth.
- Change in Tooth Color: Noticeable discoloration in the affected tooth.
Understanding these symptoms and seeking timely treatment can help you avoid more extensive dental issues and maintain your oral health. Prompt treatment is key to preventing further damage and ensuring the success of the procedure.
Symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal include:
Improving your dental health can significantly enhance your quality of life. At [Your Dental Practice Name], your root canal treatments are provided with comfort and care, ensuring a positive experience. Life is for living—let the professionals at [Your Dental Practice Name] take care of your dental and oral health needs so you can move on to your next adventure with a smile!
Safeguarding Smiles is Possible
Save your oral health from tooth loss with proactive root canal intervention
If you find yourself experiencing a toothache or face pain that refuses to go away, you may be in need of a root canal treatment. Though a root canal can sound scary, it's actually a very common procedure. The professionals at Edkin Family Dentistry go above and beyond to ensure each patient receives thoughtful, attentive care.
A typical root canal at Edkin will follow these steps:
- Assessment - Through detailed imaging, we assess the severity of infection and develop a proactive root canal treatment plan
- Comfort - Your procedure will begin with a strong local anesthetic, allowing your care to be virtually pain-free
- Care - The infection is removed and thoroughly cleaned, the tooth's interior is filled and reinforced, and finally the tooth is restored and protected with a same-day crown while we wait for our dental laboratory to fabricate your tooth's permanent crown
You may have heard that root canals are a painful procedure, but rest assured, this is not the case! Performed with local anesthetic, root canal treatment involves the removal of the infection of the root of your tooth which is the area where pain occurs. It is not the treatment of a root canal that causes pain or discomfort, but the infection itself. If left untreated, a tooth in need of a root canal procedure may become too damaged to salvage and require extraction. This is why a proactive treatment plan is developed and executed, taking special care to prevent tooth loss through immediate intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of a root canal treatment can vary depending on factors such as the extent of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is involved. Generally, undergoing endodontic treatment is significantly more affordable than having the tooth extracted and replaced with an artificial one.
A root canal is necessary when the inner portions of the root pulp become inflamed or infected. Trauma or severe decay are the major reasons for this type of infection. Some benefits of root canal therapy include:
- Pain Mitigation - Root canal treatment helps to mitigate the excruciating pain experienced by trauma or tooth decay. After successful treatment, you will no longer experience pain in the affected tooth
- Prevents spread of bacteria or abscess - Strong cleaning solutions are used to prevent the further growth of infection-causing bacteria. This thorough cleaning also halts the formation of abscess in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth
- No extraction needed - Your natural bite is maintained and the health of your jawbone tissue is preserved through a root infection treatment
- Adjacent teeth are protected - By cleaning an affected tooth and avoiding an extraction, the surrounding teeth are protected from additional complications.
While you may be worrying that the procedure will be painful during or after, root canal treatment involves the removal of the infection of the root of your tooth which is the area where pain occurs. It is not the treatment of a root canal that causes pain or discomfort, but the infection itself. Local anesthetic is used during root canal therapy, and you can expect to have a painless, comfortable experience.