Root Canal & Endodontics Treatment

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The term “root canal” strikes fear into the hearts of most people. The preconceived notion of a root canal involves severe pain, multiple dental visits, and eventual loss of the tooth in spite of everything.

However, this isn’t representative of root canal procedures at all. Advances in technology and general dentistry have made the root canal a much simpler procedure that most people describe as not being much more uncomfortable than a simple filling.

Conditions for a Root Canal:
A root canal can become necessary when the interior nerve tissue and pulp of the tooth become severely damaged and/or infected. In these cases, this tissue must be removed. Some conditions that can cause a need for a root canal include:

• Severe decay
• Severe infection inside the tooth
• Trauma to the tooth

Root Canal Procedure:
A tooth that requires a root canal can become extremely painful. The root canal procedure removes the nerve tissue from the tooth, thus eliminating the pain. It also removes any infected tissue, which will keep the infection from spreading to other teeth, gums, or facial bones. Left unchecked, this kind of infection can become very serious, and sometimes even fatal.

Once the nerve, pulp, and infection are removed, the empty space inside the tooth is filled with a sealing agent. Often the dentist will place a permanent metal or porcelain crown over the tooth.

In many cases, a root canal procedure can maintain a natural tooth relatively intact, saving the tooth from extraction. With the natural tooth and its root preserved, your jawbone has a better chance of maintaining long-term health. While a root canal might seem intimidating, it’s also often the best choice.

Having a root canal doesn’t mean the tooth will eventually have to be pulled, either. Often, teeth that have undergone this procedure will remain otherwise healthy for many years, even permanently. With one procedure, you can eliminate your pain and also save your tooth.

Source: Advantages of a Root Canal

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