Though it tends to have a bad reputation, a root canal can truly benefit your smile by repairing a heavily damaged or decayed tooth and allowing you to avoid a tooth extraction. Understanding how a root canal works and the warning signs you may need one can help you restore your tooth. Find out more about root canal therapy and the signs you may need it with Dr. Robert Brooks at Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in McDonough, GA.

What is a root canal? 
A root canal is a dental procedure which treats a tooth with severe damage or decay. Teeth are actually hollow, with soft tissues and nerves inside of it. When decay or damage affects the tooth on its hard, outer layers, a dental filling can repair it by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and replacing it with filling materials. However, when the tooth’s inner pulp chamber becomes damaged or infected, your dentist must clean it out, removing the soft tissues and filling the entire tooth and its roots with a filling material.

What can I expect during a root canal? 
Your dentist will begin your procedure by numbing the area of the tooth to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort during your root canal. Then, a small hole is made in the top, or crown, of the tooth allowing your dentist access to the tooth’s inner, infected soft tissues. Your dentist will then remove the tissue and scrub the inside of the tooth to ensure that no infected tissues remain behind. After thoroughly cleaning the inside of the tooth using specialized tools, composite resin fills the tooth. A dental crown is usually suggested after a root canal to fit over the tooth and protect it against daily use and to avoid further damage.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal 
The most obvious sign of needing a root canal is a toothache. Though this indicates a cavity in its later stages, many people are not aware of the earlier, less obvious symptoms which can point to having a cavity. Some of those symptoms include:

• unexplained bad breath
• a brown dot or spot on your tooth
• sensitivity to hot and cold
• a visible hole in the tooth
• pain while biting
• general tooth sensitivity

Root Canal Therapy in McDonough, GA
For more information on root canals or when you may need one, please contact Dr. Brooks at Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in McDonough, GA. Call (678) 583-0330 to schedule your appointment today!