There's No Need to Fear a Root Canal
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to this pulp. (Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early.) Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy, also. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess).
By the time the pulp is infected, it must be treated and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.
A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually, a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.
Many people are wary of root canals but at Bay View Dental Care, you have nothing to fear. Fill out our online form and a member of our staff will call you back and answer any questions you may have.
Here at Bay View Dental Care, we are caring, committed and dedicated to our patients' dental health.
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