One of the most common questions about this procedure is perhaps the simplest to answer: what is a root canal? A root canal is a treatment that addresses infection or inflammation on the inside of your tooth. The infection or inflammation causes damage to the pulp, or center of the tooth. This procedure becomes necessary in many cases, and there are many causes, including:
- Deep decay of the tooth
- Repeated dental procedures on the tooth
- A crack or chip in the tooth
- Faulty crowns
- Trauma to the tooth
If you do not get treatment from a dental expert, the pulp will cause significant amounts of pain and could lead to an abscess. If Shoreline Dental Care feels you need a root canal treatment, our dentists will remove the infected pulp and clean out the inside of the tooth. Then, he or she will fill and seal the tooth with a substance called gutta-percha. Then, the dentist will restore the tooth with a crown or filling. As a result of a root canal, your tooth will continue to function normally.
IS GETTING A ROOT CANAL PAINFUL?
In modern dental offices, getting a root canal treatment isn’t uncomfortable. In most cases, you’ll feel nothing more than you would if you were getting a normal filling. Our root canal treatments don’t cause pain; instead, they relieve it. The advances in technology ensure the treatment is nearly pain-free. We understand how to manage pain, so a majority of our patients report little or no discomfort during the visit. Usually, a root canal treatment will take between one to two hours.
CAN I CHOOSE BETWEEN A TOOTH EXTRACTION AND A ROOT CANAL?
In nearly every case, saving the tooth, rather than extracting it, is the best option. Artificial teeth can’t replace natural teeth, and may, in fact, disrupt your life. For instance, they may force you to avoid specific foods, which you can continue to enjoy if you still have your natural teeth.
If your dental expert recommends tooth extraction, you may want to ask whether a root canal is an option. With this treatment and proper restoration, we can address damaged teeth. This treatment is generally less expensive than the extraction of the tooth and the placement of the implant or bridge.
Root canals are usually very successful and may last for a lifetime. Placing an implant or bridge requires more time and may involve more procedures for the surrounding teeth and tissues.
CONTACT SHORELINE DENTAL CARE
At Shoreline Dental Care, we’re proud to celebrate Root Canal Awareness Week. In addition to root canals, we offer a wide range of treatments, including:
To learn more about our services, or to inquire about Root Canal Awareness Week, contact Shoreline Dental Care today.
