How Can Root Canal Therapy Save My Tooth?

If the term “root canal” sends a shiver of fear down your spine, you’re not the only one. Many of us have been conditioned to view root canals as scary or painful procedures. On the contrary, root canal therapy is safe, effective, and helps prevent further pain and complications.

How it Works

Root canal therapy treats the inside of a tooth. Every tooth has a pulp chamber and root canals that contain dental pulp made up of blood vessels, nerves, and specialized cells. If the pulp becomes infected or damaged, it can only be treated by root canal therapy.

The dentist will use a drill to access the pulp chamber and then use long, thin instruments to remove the pulp from inside the root canals. The dentist will then use a bleach solution or other cleaning agent to flush out the affected area, which kills bacteria and disinfects the root canals. The hollow root canals and pulp chamber are then filled with a soft, rubbery material and resealed.

Why It’s Important

When dental pulp becomes damaged or infected, it will never be able to heal on its own. If left untreated, the infection can spread past the tips of the roots and create an abscess, which is a pus-filled area that forms in the gums or beneath the tooth. An abscess is very painful and can cause the infection in the tooth to spread to other parts of the body. Root canal therapy is the only way to prevent this from happening. It is also considerably less expensive than having the tooth removed and an implant put in.

We understand that root canal therapy can seem scary or intimidating, but we want to make your experience as positive and stress-free as possible. Please give us a call with any questions or concerns you may have about our root canal therapy procedure.