Root Canals
A root canal procedure involves the treatment of the pulp and root of the tooth. The pulp, the center of the tooth, is a collection of nerves and soft tissue. When it becomes infected, inflammation and pain can occur. At Leland Wommack DDS, during a root canal, the pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected. The canals inside the tooth may also be cleaned.
Why Is a Root Canal Needed?
A root canal may be needed if you develop an infection in the pulp of your tooth. This infection can occur due to untreated tooth trauma, deep decay, or a crack in the tooth. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and jaw during an initial exam. X-rays may also be recommended. These images help your dentist identify signs of infection and damage to your tooth, which may require treatment.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
A Root Canal Procedure Involves:
- Removing the diseased tooth pulp.
- Cleaning the tooth.
- Sealing it to prevent further decay.
Before the procedure begins, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the mouth so that you do not feel discomfort
The Benefits of a Root Canal Procedure
Many patients do not realize just how beneficial a root canal procedure can be. Root canal therapy helps address damage related to an infection on the inside of the tooth, and this treatment can effectively prevent the need for an extraction. Root canal therapy may also prevent the need for a bridge or dental implant, which are more expensive procedures.
Root canal therapy can typically be completed in one visit to the dentist’s office. The procedure involves removing the infected tissue from the root canals of a tooth. The tooth then needs to be cleaned, and the inside of the tooth is sealed.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Root canal treatment is usually no more painful than getting a filling. If your tooth is infected or decayed, it may already be causing you pain and discomfort. If the decay or infection has reached the nerve of your tooth, a root canal procedure will remove that nerve tissue and the infection. During root canal therapy, patients may experience slight sensitivity. This discomfort is usually short-lived, lasting just a day or two.
A root canal is a dental treatment to repair a severely decayed tooth. To discover more about the perks of root canal treatment, visit Leland Wommack DDS at 408 S Main St, Lone Star, TX 75668, or call (903) 656-8738.