Our dentists at Cleary Dental can repair a badly damaged tooth and prevent further decay with a root canal treatment. A root canal treatment can help by removing your tooth’s pulp instead of your whole tooth.
The pulp is the soft core of your tooth that extends from the visible area of your tooth called the crown to the tip of your tooth’s root in your jawbone. If you have a cavity, bacteria will be able to spread into the pulp of your tooth. This is also true if you have a cracked or chipped tooth. Injuries to your tooth can cause pulp damage and inflammation. The buildup of bacteria and decaying material will cause a serious infection or a tooth abscess. This means loss of your pulp, tooth enamel, and bone structure.
YOU MAY NEED A ROOT CANAL
If you have a hole in a tooth, pain, or temperature sensitivity in your tooth you may need a root canal. If you have swelling in your gums, face, or mouth, you may need a root canal. Root canals are only necessary when there is extensive damage to a tooth and your treatment will likely include placing a crown over your tooth. Our dentist is the best resource to consult in order to figure out if you need a root canal.
ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE
Your root canal procedure will only take two appointments and about an hour of your time. During your first appointment, x-rays will be taken so that we can see exactly how much of your tooth has been affected by decay. While the x-rays are taken you will wear a lead apron to protect your body from radiation and we will stand behind a plastic barrier. With these photos, our dentist will be able to effectively spot decay down to the pulp. We will remove the decay using a drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument, then fill it temporarily.
Your second appointment will allow our dentist to cement a new tooth into place. The area where we removed a cavity will need to be covered to restore your tooth’s normal function and protect it to prevent further decay. Since root canals are a treatment for teeth with extensive decay, it will require a crown to finish fully restoring your tooth. The new cap of your tooth will be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal.
You may fear getting a root canal and even delay your treatment because of the fear of a painful procedure. However, root canals are not painful. Our dentists at Cleary Dental use local anesthetics so that you will have little to no pain during your root canal treatment. There is no need to continue living with a decayed tooth. Let us be your trusted dental provider. Consult with us now by calling us at (856) 428-3050.