Toothaches can be painful and distracting, and are most commonly a sign of decay or infection. Tooth infections are especially uncomfortable, but root canal therapy can relieve that pain in a single visit. With modern techniques, root canal therapy is a pain-free procedure that can help stop the spread of decay and restore the integrity of a damaged tooth.
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About 15% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to misconceptions about dental procedures.
Before you undergo any treatment, your dentist will examine your mouth and review any x-rays or other images to diagnose the cause of your toothache. If the cause turns out to be a tooth infection, your doctor will determine the extent of the damage and decide if root canal therapy can treat the problem.
To start things off, your dentist will clean and numb the treatment site, all the way down to the including the nerves with local anesthesia. If you would like to be sedated during the procedure, your doctor will help you decide what kind of sedation will be best for you.
Once the treatment area is sufficiently numb, your dentist will begin removing any decayed material beginning with the enamel. They will continue towards the center of the tooth, and clear any infected pulp from inside the tooth. Once the interior of the tooth’s canals have been thoroughly cleaned, the area is flushed with disinfectant to eliminate any remaining bacteria.
To fill the space left by the decayed material, the interior of the tooth will be filled with “gutta-percha,” an inert, rubber-like material that supports the inside of the tooth to maintain its structure.
Depending on how much enamel was removed during the procedure, the appearance and function of the tooth will be restored with either a filling or a dental crown.
Around 25 million root canals are performed every year.
Root canal therapy can save you from needing more complex, invasive treatments.
