Can a Root Canal Procedure Save My Tooth?

If you've ever experienced the sharp pain of a toothache, you know just how debilitating it can be. And if your dentist has suggested a root canal procedure as a solution, you may feel nervous or uncertain about what that entails. But fear not! Root canals are actually common dental procedures that have saved countless teeth from extraction. 

What Is a Root Canal Procedure?

A root canal procedure is a dental treatment that involves removing the infected pulp from inside a tooth. This is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to decay, trauma, or other causes. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels that help keep the tooth alive, but once it becomes damaged or infected, it can cause severe pain and sensitivity.

Why do I Need a Root Canal Procedure?

A root canal procedure becomes necessary when the pulp, which is the soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels, gets infected or inflamed. This can happen due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth.

If left untreated, the infection can spread to other teeth and even to your gums and jawbone. Not only can this lead to more serious dental problems, but it can also affect your overall health.

The symptoms of an infected pulp include sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, pain while chewing food, swelling around the affected area, bad breath, and discoloration of the tooth. If you experience any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, then it's best to consult with a dentist as soon as possible.

Ignoring an infected pulp may seem like a temporary solution, but it could ultimately lead to severe complications that require extensive treatment measures such as extraction or implants. A root canal procedure not only saves your natural tooth but also prevents further damage from occurring within your mouth.

How Is a Root Canal Procedure Performed?

Before starting with the procedure, your dentist will take an X-ray to determine the extent of damage to your tooth. Then, they will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around your affected tooth.

Once you're completely numb, they'll create a small opening on top of your tooth to access its inner chamber. Using tiny instruments called files, they'll carefully remove all diseased or damaged tissue from inside your tooth while flushing it out with water or sodium hypochlorite solution.

Afterward, they will shape and smooth out the interior part before filling it up with gutta-percha (a rubber-like material) and sealing it off using dental cement. In some cases where there's not enough healthy structure left for support after root canal therapy has been completed, dentists may recommend placing a crown over the top as added protection.

Getting a root canal procedure might sound scary but it shouldn't be feared since advancements in dental technology have made this process less invasive than ever before!

The dentists at Downtown Concord Dental can help you improve your smile. We are located at 2151 Salvio St, Suite A-1, Concord, CA 94520. Contact us at (925) 566-8738 or visit our website to book an appointment with us.