What is a root canal treatment?
Inside each tooth is a space that contains the pulp, which includes nerves and blood vessels. When that tissue becomes inflamed, infected, or otherwise damaged, root canal treatment may be needed.
During a root canal, we make an opening in the tooth and clean the pulp chamber and root canals inside the tooth. You can think of the root canal as a small pathway inside the root. We remove the affected tissue, clean and disinfect the area, and then seal the canals.
We commonly use a material called gutta-percha along with a dental sealer to fill the cleaned root canals. The goal is to seal the space and help prevent bacteria from reentering the canal system.
What are some signs that I might need a root canal?
There are several signs that may indicate a tooth needs further evaluation. If you have pain or sensitivity to cold that lingers after the cold stimulus is removed, that can be one sign. Sensitivity or pain with heat may also occur.
Other symptoms can include pain when biting, spontaneous throbbing or aching, swelling, or pain that occurs without an obvious trigger. However, these symptoms don't automatically mean you need a root canal, and some teeth that need root canal treatment may have few or no symptoms.
That's why we need to examine the tooth and perform the appropriate diagnostic tests to determine what's causing the problem.
How will I feel after my root canal?
Generally, you're going to be okay. Everybody is a little different, but you may experience some temporary soreness or tenderness after root canal treatment, particularly when biting or chewing.
If the tooth was causing significant pain before treatment, those symptoms may improve once the inflamed or infected tissue has been treated. If you develop severe pain, significant swelling, or symptoms that are getting worse instead of better, contact the dental office so we can evaluate what's happening.
What are the pros and cons of a root canal versus a dental implant?
Basically, we're talking about saving the natural tooth versus removing and replacing it, and that's a very case-specific decision.
If the tooth can be predictably treated and restored, root canal treatment may allow us to preserve your natural tooth. We look at how much healthy tooth structure remains, the condition of the root and surrounding bone, the presence of cracks or fractures, and the long-term restorative prognosis.
If the tooth is severely damaged and can't be predictably restored, extraction and replacement with a dental implant may be one option. Implants also have their own treatment requirements, healing time, potential complications, and maintenance needs, so we don't make the decision based on a fixed number of years that either treatment is expected to last.
We'll evaluate the individual tooth and discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and alternatives before recommending a treatment.
How safe is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is an established dental procedure used to treat damaged, inflamed, or infected pulp tissue and preserve teeth when appropriate.
During treatment, we use materials and disinfecting solutions specifically intended for endodontic procedures, along with protective measures to isolate the tooth and help keep the treatment area controlled. Like any dental procedure, root canal treatment has potential risks and isn't guaranteed to be successful in every case, so we'll discuss what applies to your individual tooth.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (209) 474-8888 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.