Root canal treatment saves a damaged tooth from being lost and prevents potentially dangerous infections. Root canals are used to repair and save your tooth instead of removing it. Your natural teeth are worth saving.
Why do I need a root canal?
Severe damage, cracks or cavities can penetrate through the enamel and reach the vulnerable pulp of the tooth. The pulp is soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and provides nourishment for your tooth. It can become infected if you have:
- A deep cavity
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- Injury to the tooth (even if there is not a visible crack or chip)
If untreated, the pulp and tissues around the root of your tooth can become infected. When this happens, you will often feel pain and swelling and an abscess may form in the bone around the tooth. An infection can also put you at risk of losing your tooth completely because bacteria can damage the bone that supports your tooth.
How does root canal treatment work?
Treatment consists of removing the inner tissues of the tooth (the pulp), treating any infection present, and preventing further infection. The procedure is done by making a small opening in the tooth and removing the nerve with special tools. Then the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and the opening is filled and sealed. A temporary filling is then placed in the tooth to protect it until a permanent filling, crown, or other restoration can be placed at the earliest opportunity.
Are root canals painful?
Root canals are done under anesthesia, so the treatment itself is painless. With modern technology and anesthetics, you won’t experience any more pain than if you went to have a cavity filled. The pain from a severe toothache, often caused by damaged tissues in the tooth, can be easily remedied when an endodontist removes the damaged tissue through root canal treatment.
Once the procedure is complete, you should no longer feel the pain you felt before having it done.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have an infection in or near my tooth?
Common symptoms of infection include sensitivity to pressure, heat or cold, sore or bleeding gums, or a toothache. Infections can also occur without any symptoms, so it’s important to see your dentist for regular dental examinations.
How do I care for the tooth and crown after my root canal?
Your restored tooth is still vulnerable to tooth decay, so brush and floss it just as you would your natural teeth.
Is it better to pull a tooth than to have root canal treatment?
Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is always the best option. Nothing artificial can replace the look or function of a natural tooth so it’s important to always consider root canal treatment as an option.
If my tooth doesn't hurt, do I still need root canal therapy?
While a throbbing toothache typically is a telltale sign of a need for root canal treatment, a tooth can require root canal treatment even when there is no pain present. We are specially trained to test a tooth to see if the pulp has been infected or damaged. If this is the case, a root canal would be necessary to save the tooth, even if you have felt no pain. And remember, when it comes to teeth: There is no pain that is normal, so be sure to see us if you have a toothache.
