What is a root canal?
The root canal is part of the interior anatomy of your tooth, which houses and protects the tooth’s nerve and pulp. Tooth nerves and pulp give your teeth feeling and cause pain when the tooth has damage or decay.
A root canal is also a dental procedure used to improve and protect your oral health. Most commonly, the term “root canal” refers to this procedure, which entails removing the nerve and pulp from inside the tooth and filling the space with a specialized dental material.
At Beacon Dental Center, Dr. Zhang places a temporary seal over the treated tooth to protect it while a trusted dental lab creates a permanent crown.
Why do I need a root canal?
If the root, nerve, or pulp of your tooth is infected, inflamed, or damaged, you may need a root canal to treat that tooth and prevent damage to surrounding teeth.
You may need a root canal if you have:
- Severe tooth decay
- Periodontal disease with root involvement
- Tooth abscess
- Broken or cracked teeth
- Recurrent infection
Uncontrolled infection A root canal not only treats individual teeth, but it also protects your overall oral and general health. If Dr. Zhang recommends a root canal, she takes time to answer any questions or concerns you may have. During your initial consultation, you may have digital X-rays, initiate antibiotic treatment, or get digital impressions for your permanent crown.
What happens during a root canal?
When you arrive for your root canal, the Beacon Dental Center team ensures you are as comfortable as possible. They may administer sedation or numbing medication so that you are pain-free during your procedure.
Dr. Zhang begins by drilling a small hole into your tooth to access your root canal. She removes the materials from inside the tooth, cleans the cavity, then fills and seals the tooth. A root canal can take anywhere from 30-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the underlying problem.
For most people, a root canal offers effective relief from pain and discomfort because the nerve causing the pain is no longer there. Once your gums have healed and your permanent crown is ready, you return to have it placed over your treated teeth. This strengthens the tooth and protects it from breaking or being damaged over time.
If you need a root canal, call or schedule an appointment online with the team at Beacon Dental Center today.
