Root Canal
When you have a cavity, a filling restores the area that’s been destroyed by infection. If your tooth is broken, a crown protects it from breaking any further.
However, when damage extends into the nerve inside your tooth and causes an abscess, only root canal treatment can help to retain the natural tooth.
What is Endodontic Treatment?
A root canal is a procedure where we go into the centre of the tooth to remove the infected or traumatised nerve. The canal is then cleaned out and sealed off to prevent reinfection. Endodontics is a safe and effective alternative to extracting your tooth. Now, you can preserve your natural smile for years to come.
Your Dental Pulp: What is it?
Tooth pulps are the nerve and blood vessel tissues that feed and nurture the tooth to keep it alive. The pulp extends from the tip of the root up through the crown (the structure above the gums). Every tooth has one open chamber to house the pulp but if there are multiple roots there will be a canal extending down into each one.
When Dental Nerves are Damaged
If a tooth is traumatised, damaged from a large crack or has severe areas of decay, the pulp can become infected by bacteria and begin to die. In some cases, the tooth will develop an abscess, start to appear darker in colour or experience severe pain.
By removing the pulp and performing a root canal, we can eliminate the cause of pain and swelling, along with natural resorption that’s associated with nerve death. As a result, we are able to retain your natural tooth in place for much longer.
What’s Involved?
During your root canal treatment, we will carefully numb the tooth (and administer any dental sedation at your request) before creating an opening to remove the damaged pulp tissue. Special tools are used to clean the nerve canals, which are then medicated and sealed off. In addition, we may recommend a long-term restoration like a porcelain onlay or crown after root canal treatment is completed to prolong the life of the tooth.
By preserving your natural tooth, your entire smile will benefit!
Request a Consultation Today
Suffering from an abscess or severe toothache? Contact Happy Smile Dental today to schedule an exam.
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* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
