Endodontic or root canal treatment is a dental procedure that sometimes is the only way to save a badly damaged tooth. It involves removing infected tooth pulp, cleaning the root canal, and filling and sealing the area to prevent future problems. Instead of risking permanent tooth loss, seeking dental treatment and potentially a root canal procedure can be crucial.
The inside part of your tooth is filled with tissue called its pulp. It contains blood vessels and nerves, and is important in maintaining a healthy tooth. If your tooth breaks or becomes otherwise damaged, the pulp can become infected or harmed beyond repair. The tooth pulp will die when it is beyond its ability to heal itself. Bacteria can enter the pulp from exposure to your saliva, and a painful infection may form.
The best way to maintain your health is to have the infected pulp removed before the infection can spread to surrounding areas. When infection spreads, the likelihood of tooth loss increases and your overall health can even be negatively affected.
Undergoing root canal treatment should not be avoided or delayed. For one thing, you may be experiencing significant pain. Having a root canal procedure actually eliminates the pain and restores the function of your mouth. Often, once the diseased pulp is removed and your root canal is cleaned and sealed, a crown may be placed on top to protect your natural tooth from fracture or other problems. The extent of your root canal procedure depends on the advancement of your case and your specific oral health. That’s another reason not to delay treatment, because you may qualify for simpler root canal treatment if your tooth has not become severely damaged.
Saving your tooth with root canal therapy is often the best advice your dentist can give. The procedure restores your oral health, relieves symptoms, and allows you to maintain your natural smile.
We offer root canal treatment at our Central Falls, RI dental office.
