Why Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?

Ah, root canals. People have an irrational fear towards them because of all the myths out there! It is true that decades ago, the treatment was tedious; however, thanks to modern dentistry, the new procedures make it safe, quick, and pain-free.

Root Canal

So what is a root canal? As its name suggests, they are the canals that are within the tooth that contain the nerve and vessels of it. When they are infected, they cause severe pain. When this happens, you must visit your endodontics dentist near you. He or she will remove this infected tissue, disinfect the canals, and enlarge them with files, to create room for the sealing material.

The filling materials are a special paste and guttapercha. They are both biocompatible with the body. Afterward, your endodontics dentist in Longmont CO. will place temporary cement on top, and you must schedule a final appointment for the placing of a dental crown. The permanent restoration is as important as the treatment itself because it will prevent bacteria from penetrating the tooth and the tooth from breaking.

Reasons Why You Need a Root Canal

You should look for a root canal near you if you:

• Have an untreated cavity that reached its way to the pulp inside the tooth.

• Suffered a dental trauma that injured the nerve of the tooth.

• Have a decay that infected the pulp.

• Have a dental abscess (it is a clear sign of a spread infection).

• Underwent a root canal, but it got reinfected.

Signs that You Need a Root Canal

The treatment for you might be a root canal in Longmont if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Tooth sensitivity – Your teeth are sensitive to hot/cold foods or drinks.

• Pain when chewing – If you bite down and experience pain, you might need to undergo root canal therapy.

• Swelling – It might be due to an infection on a tooth. To reduce the swelling, you may apply ice packs on and off for ten minutes on the side of the face (never directly on the skin).

• Random pain – Perhaps you are not eating or using your teeth in any way, but you feel pain at specific points. It is a clear sign that there is damage to a tooth.

• No symptoms – While the usual scenario is the presence of pain, sometimes the pulp has an infection, and you don’t experience any symptoms. The reason for it is that the nerve is already dead; however, the tooth is still salvable. Your endodontist will remove the pulp inside and damaged tissue and perform the process that we described above (disinfecting, reshaping canals, and sealing).

If you have any of the symptoms above, don’t ignore them. Postponing a dental visit will only worsen the problem, and it can lead to irreparable damage. When the infection has spread too much, the only option might be to extract the dental piece.

And if you don’t experience any symptoms, don’t miss your bi-annual dental checkups. It is during these visits that your dentist will monitor the condition of your mouth for early signs of oral disease. Remember that, sometimes, a tooth can be infected and goes unnoticed because there is not a pain.

Call Our Offices

If you have any other questions regarding this or other dental procedures, feel free to call us right away. We have a team of caring professionals that are looking forward to helping you restore your smile.

This blog offers information regarding dental topics; however, it doesn’t replace a consultation visit with your doctor. For any other doubts, diagnostic, or treatment, don’t hesitate to schedule a dental appointment at your earliest convenience.