What are Root Canals?
Root canal therapy is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. During root canal therapy, the pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
What are the signs that a root canal is needed?
You might need a root canal treatment if you suffer from one or more of the following:
- Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed)
- Discoloration (darkening) of the tooth
Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums - A persistent or recurring pimple on the gum
How is the treatment done?
Root canal therapy requires one or more visit and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist. Here are some of the stages of the procedure.
- Take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone.
- After numbing you up, your dentist will “isolate” your tooth by way of placing a rubber dam.
- Creating an “access cavity” to gain access to the nerve space.
- Measuring the length of the tooth.
- Cleaning and shaping the tooth’s root canals.
- Sealing the tooth.
- Placing a temporary filling.
- The root canal process has now been completed but your tooth still requires permanent restoration.
