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Root Canal Therapy

The majority of people tend to feel uneasy when they hear the words, “root canal.” Essentially, a root canal is intended to prevent and eliminate the pain of a severely decayed or infected tooth. Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp that contains components commonly referred to as the “nerve” of the tooth. Each pulp chamber branches off, forming canals that lead toward the tooth root tip. These infamous root canals provide a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the blood and get rid of toxins or other unnecessary materials via the blood stream. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth. This can cause severe tooth pain and may initiate bone degeneration, tooth loss, and even more acute pain. If you see a dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth may be saved with a root canal. Otherwise, it should be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic.

Everyone wants to know, will root canal therapy hurt? With today’s advanced anesthetics and technology, root canal therapy is virtually painless. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable that many patients doze off. Oftentimes, root canal therapy can be completed in a single appointment, in some cases two visits. We simply clean out the diseased canal, fill it with a biologically-inert substance known as gutta-percha, seal it from further infection, and you’re on your way. While some patients experience post-procedural soreness or slight tissue inflammation, these are easily controllable with over-the-counter remedies.