What is a root canal?
A root canal is a standard dental procedure that treats decay or infection inside of a tooth. Your tooth has three layers:
- A hard shell of enamel
- Dentin in the middle
- Soft inner pulp
The pulp consists of soft tissues including blood vessels and nerves. If it gets infected, you need a root canal to treat it.
During a root canal at Cute Dental Care, PC, the team carefully makes a small opening in your tooth. They remove the infected or inflamed tissue including the nerve.
Since the nerve comes out during the procedure, any pain that you felt from your tooth infection goes away or is minimized.
After your provider removes the soft tissue, the canal inside your tooth is sanitized and cleaned to prevent new infections. Finally, the inside of your tooth is filled with a rubbery cement material to seal the canals and reinforce your tooth.
When is a root canal necessary?
A root canal prevents abscesses, tooth loss, and other complications in teeth that are infected or inflamed on the inside. This can happen after blunt trauma to the tooth, a deep chip or crack, or decay penetrating into the inner layer.
Tooth pain doesn’t always indicate the need for a root canal, but it’s a sign you should get an evaluation. Other signs and symptoms that can point to your need for a root canal are:
- Darkening of the tooth’s color
- Pain when you apply pressure to the tooth
- Lingering sensitivity to extreme temperatures
- Swollen gums
- Pimples on your gums
A chip or crack doesn’t always mean that you will need a root canal. However, you should have your dentist at Cute Dental Care, PC evaluate your chipped or cracked tooth at your next appointment just in case.
Is a crown required after my root canal?
In many cases, you need to get a crown for your tooth after your dentist treats it with a root canal. This is especially true if the tooth is near the back of your mouth where it needs extra strength for biting and chewing. You might not need a crown after a root canal if the affected tooth is in the front of your mouth.
To discuss your symptoms with an expert dentist and find out if you need a root canal, call Cute Dental Care, PC or book an appointment today.
