What is a Root Canal?

Root canals are very specialized procedures designed to treat badly damaged teeth. Normally, the soft insides and nerves(known as the pulp) of a tooth are protected by a hard exterior, but, in cases of extreme decay, the pulp of a tooth can become damaged and infected. Left untreated, the infection can cause enormous pain and spread to the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth, eventually eating away at the bone in your mouth. Early detection and treatment is vital in these circumstances.

During the procedure, the dentist carefully drills through the outer layers of the tooth until she can see the damaged pulp. The nerves and pulp are carefully removed, and the remaining space is cleaned, filled and sealed off to prevent may further infection from developing. After making sure all the infection is eradicated, the dentist completes the procedure by filling the opening, leaving the tooth just as functional as before.

Why might I need a root canal?

Root canals are the ultimate healing treatment for dental patients, but many patients might not even realize that something is wrong. Because it is very hard for a layperson to detect signs of problems in the pulp, most people don’t find out there’s a problem until they visit dentists.

Here’s where you can get a step ahead of your fellow dental patients.

• Severe toothaches or pain when chewing;
• Temperature sensitivity (i.e pain when the tooth comes into contact with hot or cold substances) ;
• Discoloration in the tooth ;
• Swollen and tender gums ;
• Pimples on the gums

While the presence of these symptoms might not necessarily point to nerve damage as a cause, other problems like a normal cavity or like gum disease could cause similar symptoms, they definitely mean that you should visit us to get a closer look at the situation.