Root Canal

If the nerve of a tooth becomes diseased, it begins to die and the tooth can become sensitive or infected.
In the past, teeth with diseased nerves have been removed from the mouth. However, with a root canal, the tooth can be salvaged. In most cases, the root canal procedure is a simple treatment that involves little to no patient discomfort.

Tooth nerves die for a number of reasons including decay into the nerve, trauma, tooth fractures, and periodontal disease.
Symptoms of a tooth that might require a root canal are:

• pain in or around a tooth
• swelling
• hot, cold, or pressure sensitivity
• pus or gum pimples

Root canals allow the dentist to remove the nerve, clean the canal and seal the tooth, effectively protecting and saving the tooth.  The procedure will effectively eliminate any infection and restore the tooth to a healthy state.  Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy tend to become fragile and brittle, and for this reason a dental crown or “cap” is usually necessary to protect and strengthen the tooth.

Call us to learn more about the root canal treatment and whether this option is right for you.