A root canal? You most likely don’t want to think about this dental procedure because of the association with pain that usually comes along with it. Contrary to what many people might believe, most patients experience little to no discomfort during root canal therapy. When people talk about the pain associated with root canals, they are most likely talking about the pain caused by the inflammation from the infection inside the tooth. After all is said and done, once the infected tissue is removed, patients have much relief to look forward to.
Root canals are a conservative treatment option for restoring the health and function of an infected tooth that may prevent the need for an extraction. The main goal of this dental procedure is to remove the infected pulp from the tooth while maintaining the tooth’s structure.
When is root canal therapy needed? A few symptoms that mean you might need a root canal include:
- Severe pain while chewing or biting
- Pimples on the gums
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed
- Swollen or tender gums
- Deep decay or darkening of the gums
If tooth pulp becomes acutely inflamed or infected because of decay or injury, the tissue will need to be removed in order to save the tooth and stop the infection from spreading.
Saving the tooth can prevent other troubles from occurring later on, which could include bite problems from teeth shifting position, difficulty eating and loss of jawbone volume and density.
What happens during the procedure? Infected pulp is removed and then we carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal. We will fill and seal the space with a biocompatible material. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
At Pine Seven Dental Centre in Woodbridge Vaughan , we will always aim to preserve your natural smile as much as possible for the long-term stability of your bite and overall oral health.
Give us a call immediately if you think you may need root canal therapy.