A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected tooth pulp (the tissue that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues) to relieve pain, restore a tooth’s health and prevent its loss. Millions of root canals are performed every year and, when done correctly, can be extremely effective in relieving pain and making a tooth healthy again.
If your tooth’s pulp is infected, it can cause serious problems that may lead to a number of different issues. These include tooth pain, inflamed tooth pulp and infection that may spread to surrounding teeth and jawbones.
You should see your dentist as soon as you start noticing symptoms to get treatment before the problem gets worse. If you wait, the bacteria that cause the infection can spread and can even affect your other teeth in the mouth.
Your Root Canal Specialist in Sarasota Florida will look for signs of an infection such as a bad taste in your mouth, a foul-smelling discharge and swelling in the area. They’ll also take X-rays of the area to determine how large and deep the infections are.
The X-rays can show the size and shape of the root canals, which is crucial for planning the root canal procedure. The X-rays can also show if there are any signs of infection in a nearby bone.
It’s usually possible to have a root canal done at your general dentist’s office. But, if you have more extensive or complex problems, you’ll probably be recommended to see an endodontist.
There are many reasons you might need a root canal, including:
Damaged or diseased tooth that is very painful.
The most common sign of a tooth with an infected pulp is severe, persistent pain. You might also notice a toothache when you bite down on something or chew, or it could be very sensitive to hot and cold foods.
Infection of the tooth’s pulp can also cause a tooth to change color, which makes it look unsightly and yellow or brown in appearance. In severe cases, this may lead to a dental abscess that can cause infection, discomfort and a foul-smelling discharge.
Your dentist will then remove all infected and dead pulp material from the tooth’s pulp chamber and root canals. Then the space is filled with special filling material, called gutta-percha.
Once the inside of the tooth is clean and sealed, your endodontist will place a crown over it to protect it and improve its appearance. Your dentist will also make sure you understand how to care for your tooth following your root canal.
You will need to avoid biting and chewing on the treated tooth until it has healed completely. This will probably take a couple of weeks and you’ll need to stick with softer foods until then.
The most comfortable way to get a root canal is by visiting a dentist who has experience performing these procedures. You’ll be able to ask questions, discuss the procedure and receive the help you need in a comfortable setting.