Root Canal Therapy in Charlotte, NC
If a dental patient has severe tooth pain that seems to come from the root of the tooth, chances are that it is caused by an infection. Root canal therapy is a procedure that is used to eliminate the infection and relieve the pain. According to the American Association of Endodontists, American dentists perform approximately 15 million root canals each year, which makes it one of the most common dental procedures. From the office of Nelsen Dental Excellence in Charlotte, NC , learn more about root canals and why this treatment is beneficial.
The Purpose
A root canal is a preferred alternative to extracting a tooth, which is why so many procedures are performed yearly. The ultimate purpose of this treatment is to save the patient’s original tooth, keeping it well-rooted, healthy, and strong. When a tooth is extracted, the gums become vulnerable to decay, infection, and loss of bone tissue. A root canal helps you avoid potentially expensive issues in the future.
The Procedure
A root canal is typically completed in about two appointments. There are three main steps involved when getting this treatment:
1) The patient is sedated and the dentist uses special tools to access the tooth’s damaged tissue.
2) Your dentist thoroughly cleans and disinfects the tooth, then fills it up with a substance called gutta-percha to protect it from future damage.
3) A crown is secured to the top of the tooth to reinforce and protect it. This is commonly done at a separate appointment.
When Is Root Canal Therapy Needed?
When a cavity is left untreated, it can completely eat the inside of the tooth, making it hard to do normal activities like biting and chewing your food. In cases like this, it’s important to restore your tooth with root canal therapy. Dr. Hector Naranjo at Evolution Dentistry in Parkland, FL, can help you understand when root canal therapy is necessary to help restore your smile both aesthetically and functionally.
How Root Canal Therapy Can Help You
When a tooth is infected from an untreated cavity, it can lead to more serious issues that can affect both your smile and can even affect your body as a whole. Your dentist in Parkland, FL, can examine your tooth and help you determine if a root canal is the right choice to help your smile and strengthen your tooth again.
A root canal is usually thought of as something that is painful and scary, but it’s actually the complete opposite. Root canal therapy helps relieve your pain and strengthen your smile when you’re dealing with infection and irritation.
Your dentist will first numb the affected area to help keep you feeling comfortable throughout the entire process. Your dentist will then create an opening in the top of your tooth to expose the damaged and irritated pulp inside of your tooth. They will then clean out the infected pulp, helping to relieve your tooth of pain. Your dentist will then fill your tooth with a rubber-like material, helping protect your tooth from any further infection or damage from happening inside the tooth. They will then seal the tooth, which will stop bacteria from getting inside your newly restored tooth.
Root Canal Benefits
A root canal is primarily beneficial because it eliminates the pain that you may be experiencing from a toothache. Other benefits include:
- The tooth is thoroughly cleaned and filled to protect the root from future damage.
- The crown covering is very attractive (white, smooth, and resilient) and will last for up to 20 years with good care.
- It helps stop an infection from spreading to other teeth or other parts of the body.
- You keep your original tooth and do not have to pay for an expensive replacement.