Root Canals Root canals are one of the most effective methods at our disposal for relieving severe oral discomfort. Riverstone Dental Group can help you in deciding if a root canal is right for your symptoms.Root Canal BasicsYour teeth are not actually solid, but hollow, and this space is properly known as a root canal, which is where the name of this procedure comes from. This tiny space is filled with a bundle of connective tissues known as the pulp. Your pulp is both extremely sensitive and very important to the health of the tooth, as it is where the tooth's nerve can be found. Like all living tissues, the pulp can become infected. Because of the nerve, an infected pulp can be debilitating, and for many people will be one of the worst toothaches they ever experience. An untreated infection will eventually kill the nerve, meaning the tooth will need to be extracted. To save the nerve and the tooth, we enter the hollow chamber that the name of this operation derives from. Through the new hole, the infected pulp is taken out and replaced with a dental material that we use to stop the infection from recurring. Why We Recommend Root CanalsWe recommend getting a root canal because no one should be in discomfort. If you have pulp that is infected, then you know the kind of discomfort we are talking about. A root canal is a highly effective method of relieving this discomfort. A root canal is not just restorative, but also preventive. Infected pulp that is not removed does not stay confined to the canal of that tooth. It will continue to grow and spread, killing the tooth. We would much rather perform a root canal than an extraction. Getting a Root CanalContrary to what you might be imagining when you heard the words “root canal,” the root canal procedure is not an especially complex, uncomfortable, or time-consuming process. The root canal will likely take only one appointment, and most patients will not need anything stronger than a local anesthetic so that there is minimal interference with your schedule both before and after. First, we carefully clean the outside of the tooth, before exposing the anatomical root canal and the dental pulp within. The canal will be modified to accept the filling, the filling will be cemented, and the tooth will be closed up once more. Often, we will cover the tooth with a dental crown, as the now disinfected tooth is still structurally weak. This crown can be made to closely match the tint of your other teeth. Do You Need a Root Canal?A root canal is nobody's favorite procedure, but getting one can help you feel much better. If you are dealing with severe oral discomfort that has not been successfully relieved by other means, then Riverstone Dental Group may be able to help by performing a root canal. To discover how a root canal can help you, call (925) 414-9250. |
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