When you are a child, losing your teeth is a right of passage. As an adult, it can come at a great cost. With only one set of permanent teeth, tooth loss can have a profound impact on your life. And while dental restorations have come a long way, it is always best to have the natural tooth whenever possible. If you have a tooth that has advanced decay or has become damaged due to trauma, root canal therapy can save the natural tooth and prevent the need for extraction. If you are in the Fallbrook, CA area, Fallbrook Dentist ensures that the entire procedure is comfortable and low stress.
What is root canal therapy?
Teeth are made of layers. The outer layer, enamel, helps you break down food. The next layer is dentin, which helps protect and keep blood flowing through the innermost pulp chamber. The pulp is an area of soft tissue that contains the connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves of the tooth.
When decay or injury penetrates the pulp chamber, bacteria accumulate causing inflammation, pain, and pressure. For most, this manifests itself in a toothache or sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods.
Root canal therapy, or endodontic therapy, is a treatment that removes the damaged soft tissue inside the tooth to eliminate pain, prevent further infection, and avoid an extraction.
The process for a root canal treatment
Contrary to what many individuals think, root canals are similar to traditional fillings. At Fallbrook Dentist, we always make sure that our patients are uncomfortable throughout treatment. The first step in a root canal is to thoroughly numb the area around the infected tooth. If you are anxious about dental procedures, we can discuss options for sedation. When the area is numb, the dentist will access the inside of the tooth through an opening to remove all damaged tissue and infection. After this is complete, the root canals are cleaned and sanitized before sealing the tooth.
Following root canal therapy, the tooth structure will be intact but weakened. A dental crown can be placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage and restore full functionality. You may notice some prolonged sensitivity following root canal therapy, but this will dissipate over time. With good oral hygiene, a tooth treated with a root canal can last the rest of your life.
If you are looking for a compassionate, experienced dentist for root canal therapy in Fallbrook, CA, call Fallbrook Dentist today at (760) 284-8477.
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful, but when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with a natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95 percent or greater. Most root canals are diagnosed by patients' sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist if any symptoms or discomfort occur.