Do You Need a Root Canal?

Your teeth are made up of three layers: an enamel layer on the outside, then a layer of dentin (the hard bony tissue that makes up the bulk of the tooth), and finally a soft inside core that extends into the root in your jawbone. A root canal is a dental procedure that is done when this core layer becomes inflamed, infected, or even is dead. The pulp and decay are removed to help preserve the infected tooth and prevent further decay. 

When you experience an infection inside your tooth, it can cause painful inflammation and sensitivity. Our dentists diagnose this condition by using digital x-rays and other testing to determine the cause of your pain. Other root canal symptoms include:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Swelling near the infection site
• Pain or pressure
• A pimple-like lesion on your gums
• Tooth discoloration

This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.

Using a root canal procedure to conserve a tooth may provide you with many benefits to your oral health. Some of these benefits include:

• restore chewing and biting force;
• restore sensation;
• provide a more natural appearance; and
• protect your teeth from further damage or infection.

The best way to know for sure is to come in for a visit so we can examine your tooth. Some warning signs to look out for are:

• Persistent pain
• Sensitivity to cold and heat
• Tooth discoloration
• Pain when you eat
• Swollen gums

If you’re experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, come in immediately to see the dentist.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, most likely non-surgical tool root canal treatment is recommended to eliminate the diseased pulp. The injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed.

Our dentists always makes sure our patients feel completely comfortable prior to beginning any treatment by applying local anesthetic. He will access the inner canals of your tooth by making a small hole in your enamel. Next, they will remove any infection or diseased tissue using a method called rotary endodontics. 

Rotary endodontics utilizes a superior method for cleaning out the chambers that house your pulp and nerve. Because it uses a highly flexible, thin tip, it reduces the chance of damaging the fragile interior of your tooth. It is also a quieter and more comfortable method to clean out the infection in your tooth. Because of this advanced technology, your procedure will be comfortable and you can enjoy increased success when it comes to treatment.

Once our dentist removes the infection, he will sterilize the area, fill it, and seal it with a temporary restoration while you heal.

You might be surprised to learn that your tooth is more brittle after a root canal. We may recommend a dental crown to protect a fragile tooth. Chewing requires extreme force and can result in broken or split teeth following a root canal unless we protect these teeth with a crown. We create custom porcelain crowns in our office that look and feel great. With a root canal and the appropriate restoration, we can extend the life of your tooth by decades.

The best way to know for sure is to come in for a visit so we can examine your tooth. Some warning signs to look out for are:

• Persistent pain
• Sensitivity to cold and heat
• Tooth discoloration
• Pain when you eat
• Swollen gums

If you’re experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, come in immediately to see the dentist.

At the center of every tooth is a hollow area, known as the “pulp chamber”. The pulp chamber serves as a sort of reservoir that holds soft tissues such as the nerve, connective tissue, and blood vessels.

The nerve of a tooth is located in the root. The root canals run from the root’s tip to the pulp chamber. However, the nerve does not play a major role in the day-to-day function of the tooth as it is primarily only used to detect hot or cold temperatures.

A root canal treatment may be required when the pulp of the tooth becomes damaged and bacteria starts to fill up the chamber and multiply.

This, along with decaying pulp, causes the tooth to become infected or abscessed. An abscessed tooth typically has pus-filled pockets at the tip of the root.

An infection in the tooth usually manifests in the canal, causing facial swelling, bone loss around the end of the root, or a drainage hole in the side of the tooth.

The experienced staff at Bain Dental Care will take an x-ray of the tooth in question prior to the treatment in order to check the shape of the canals and determine if the bone or surrounding area is infected.

To begin the process of treating the tooth, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the particular area.

By using a rubber sheet also known as a “dam” to isolate the tooth, your dentist keeps the tooth and surrounding area clean and dry and free of saliva.

A hole is then drilled into the tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber.

Once your Georgia dentist has exposed the pulp chamber, he or she will then begin to remove infected pulp and, eventually, the nerve itself.

This process is accomplished through the use of root canal files. These files, which vary in diameter, are placed one at a time into the tooth and down the entire root canal.

This effectively cleans out any debris from the chamber and canal. Once this is done, your dentist will refill the canals and chamber with a rubber compound and seal it with cement.

The cost associated with this specialized procedure will vary. It is contingent upon factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. It is also dependent upon age, general health, and the existence of any underlying medical conditions.

In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth. Simply put, if you need a root canal, it’s worth getting it done right away. The cost of not doing so is exponentially greater.

A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).

While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments. Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.

At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function.

After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed. You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your treatment.