Root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed. This procedure can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. There are several root canals in each tooth.
The procedure involves removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it and then filling and sealing it. The common causes affecting the pulp are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth or trauma.
Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.
For some reason, root canals received an unearned, unfair reputation for causing pain. In fact, most patients discover that the discomfort is similar to a routine cavity filling. Dentists are experts at relieving pain. In fact, once the recovery process is complete, most patients return to a life without the pain that led them to receive a root canal in the first place.
Patients usually start to experience relief from the tenderness in 24 to 48 hours after a root canal.
If you need a root canal, that is the best option for preserving your natural tooth. The other option is tooth extraction. If left untreated, the infection will progress. The following may occur:
Dentists are passionate about saving natural teeth and restoring wellbeing and oral health. Nothing looks and feels the same as the natural teeth.