Root Canal
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment done by your dentist to save an infected tooth and repair it. Root canals become necessary when the pulp, or nerves and blood vessels, become infected. This infected pulp is removed, and the inside of the root in cleaned and sealed to prevent future issues. Many people are scared of this procedure, but over time the methods used have improved, meaning a root canal is only as painful as having a cavity filled with today’s medicine.
Reasons for a Root Canal
- Tooth decay is advanced
- Tooth is abscessed
- Trauma exposes nerves
- Tooth is severely damaged
Procedure
Before your procedure is carried out, your dentist may have you start antibiotics to help combat the infection. First, the tooth is isolated, dried, and cleaned. Then, your dentist will drill a small hole into the area where the infected nerves are located. After the hole is drilled, your dentist will begin removing the infected tissue and sterilizing the remaining space. When the remaining space is cleaned and dried out, it will then be sealed, and a crown placed.
