What’s a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure that saves an infected tooth from further damage by removing its pulp.
The pulp is the soft tissue inside of your tooth made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Infected tooth pulp quickly becomes inflamed, compressing the nerves inside the tooth and causing a great deal of pain.
Without treatment, infected tooth pulp can cause:
- Tooth loss
- Abscesses
- Bacterial infection of your blood, known as sepsis
- Jawbone deterioration
With a root canal, the team at Presidential Dental Group alleviates your pain, saves your tooth, and prevents the infection from spreading.
What are the signs that I need a root canal?
An infected tooth typically causes a significant amount of pain, so the most obvious sign that you might need a root canal is if your tooth is hurting. There are some other indications, however, that you might have an infected tooth, such as:
- Bad breath
- Swollen gums
- A tooth that’s turned dark
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pimple-like bumps on your gums
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with the team at Presidential Dental Group as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more painful it will become.
How do I get a root canal?
The first step of your root canal at Presidential Dental Group is an X-ray. An X-ray allows your dentist to assess the extent of the damage and infection. It also serves as a roadmap for the procedure.
Next, your dentist anesthetizes your tooth and the surrounding area, then secures a rubber dental dam around the tooth to keep it isolated during the procedure.
Once your tooth and mouth are prepared, your dentist drills a small hole in the top of your tooth, exposing your infected pulp. Most dentists use a series of small files to remove the infected pulp inside, but the team at Presidential Dental Group uses rotary technology — a small, electronic instrument with a nickel-titanium tip. Nickel-titanium is incredibly flexible, allowing your dentist to work within your curved root canal without damaging your tooth.
Next, your dentist cleans your tooth chamber with an antibacterial solution, fills it with a rubbery compound called gutta-percha, and seals the hole in the top of your tooth with a filling. Finally, your dentist affixes a permanent crown to your tooth to restore its strength and prevent further infections.
Don’t wait to schedule your root canal with the dental experts at Presidential Dental Group. The quicker you’re treated, the quicker you’ll be free of pain. Book your visit by calling the office or scheduling online.
