If you experience discomfort of any of your teeth, make sure to visit our clinic for exam and diagnosis. Tooth problems caught early may be resolved prior to the need for root canal therapy. If your tooth’s nerve becomes infected due to decay or trauma, root canal treatment is often required to save your tooth.
The inside of your hard tooth is a space called the root canal system made up of nerves and blood vessels. This system of blood vessels and nerves is known as the pulp which helps the tooth grow and develop. Once a tooth is fully developed it can survive without a pulp.
Some signs that you may possibly need a root canal (or endodontic treatment):
- Spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Severe decay or an injury that creates an infection
- Change in tooth color
Sometimes a tooth may die, but not cause any pain. This chronic infection may be diagnosed from x-rays during an exam.
If the tooth is deemed needing a root canal the dentist will:
- Freezing (local anaesthetic) is given to numb the tooth for comfort of procedure
- Make an small opening through the tooth to access the root canal system
- Remove the pulp (nerves and blood vessels) clean and shape the canal
- Seal the canal system with rubber like material
- Restore the opening with a filling
- Depending on strength of the remaining tooth a crown or “cap” may be recommended to restore the tooth for long term success.
A properly done root canal can save your tooth, resolve pain and prevent need for extraction.
Root Canal Procedure
