Root Canal Therapy: A Brief Outline

In the day-to-day life of a tooth, there are constant dangers. Sugar, acids, and plaque are just a few enemies of teeth. These substances can dissolve and deteriorate the protective linings of teeth exposing the inner areas...

The Root Canal is the space in the root of the tooth which is the primary container for nerves and blood vessels. If an exposed root canal is left untreated it can easily become infected by bacteria. Once infected the bacteria travels down through the root and into the gums, and in severe cases even dissolving the jaw bone and forming an abscess that can be extremely painful.

Some of the most common symptoms of an infection in the root of a tooth are:

Severe pain and a persistent throbbing sensation
Pain while chewing or biting
A chronic bad taste that lingers in the mouth
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures in mouth
Extreme swelling in the gums

It is very important that once symptoms have appeared, a root canal infection is addressed promptly. Leaving infections untreated allows them to spread more quickly as the integrity of the jaw breaks down. A problem that started in one tooth can quickly affect the entire jaw and cause lasting problems if left unchecked.

Treatment

The treatment therapy for root canal infection is fairly simple, it involves using a drill to penetrate inside the infected tooth followed by a larger and slower drill that removes the decayed dental pulp and exposes the canal. The infected contents of the canals are then carefully cleaned and sealed with a liquid sealant that tightly closes off the previously infected area. The strength and integrity of the tooth are maintained through small posts so that their daily functions are not impeded.

Root canal therapy has evolved greatly in the past few years and there are rarely any complications with the procedure. A typical treatment procedure lasts a couple of hours and can easily be done in a single sitting. Laser therapy has also recently been developed and can treat root canal infections very quickly, though it is less certain to remove all bits of damaged pulp.

After a treatment, the tooth is fairly sensitive for a period of a few hours and harder foods should be avoided to let the sealant fully settle in and protect the tooth. Once hardened the sealant will act just as a normal tooth would and it will not affect eating habits.

Contact us

To set up an appointment for root canal therapy or just for a simple check-up in order to ensure everything is in working order, visit us to take advantage of our professional staff and years of experience.

With cutting edge technology, experienced experts, and flexible hours, Gables Sedation Dentistry takes the time to learn about each of our patients’ unique needs and we customize treatment so it is right for you and the health of your teeth and mouth.