Having a tooth with a serious infection or decay can be a painful experience. However, if you seek treatment as soon as possible, root canal therapy can save your tooth and stop pain and swelling in the jaw.

Symptoms of a Tooth Needing a Root Canal

When a tooth needs root canal treatment, the patient may experience a severe pain that can be triggered by hot or cold stimuli. The pain can be worsened by chewing on the tooth or biting down on hard foods. It can also be accompanied by swelling or pus in the area of the mouth or jaw.

If left untreated, this infection could spread to other parts of the body. This is why it’s so important to visit your dentist at Go 2 Dental Sarasota Florida immediately when you feel any signs of infection.

The first step in root canal treatment is numbing the area with anesthesia. This is done by administering a topical or oral anesthetic. After that, a rubber dam is placed over the tooth to keep it dry during the procedure.

After numbing the area, the dentist makes an access opening in the crown of the tooth to get to the pulp. This pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and tissues that are damaged by decay or injury.

Once the pulp is removed, the bacteria, infected tissue and irritated nerves are cleaned and disinfected. Next, the root canals are shaped and filled with a special, biocompatible material that will not cause any infection.

The final restoration is a dental crown or another restorative cap to protect the treated tooth and make it functional again. The crown will look the same as a normal tooth, and can improve the appearance of teeth that become darkened from infection.

During a root canal, some of the medicaments or sealing materials that are used can leak out into the sinus cavities. This can cause sinus problems and inflammation for some patients after the treatment is completed.

In addition to this, some people are afraid of the pain and discomfort that they can feel after a root canal treatment. Fortunately, a root canal is not more painful than a regular dental procedure and recovery time is very minimal.

A Root Canal Specialist can perform this procedure for patients that require it. These specialists have completed extensive training in treating damaged teeth with root canals.

You will need to have a consultation with your Sarasota Root Canals Specialist before you begin this procedure, so they can discuss your specific tooth condition and answer any questions that you might have. You’ll also want to discuss your anesthetic options, such as sedation dentistry.

The process of a Root Canal

Once your doctor has numb your tooth and you’re ready to undergo the procedure, he or she will place a rubber dam over your tooth. This is to prevent any infection from spreading and keeps the gums and surrounding tissue dry while the treatment takes place.

Then, tiny dental instruments are used to remove the pulp from the tooth’s insides and shape the canals. This is a very specialized and delicate procedure that requires the skill of an experienced endodontist. Your general dentist may be able to treat your root canal, but an endodontist is best qualified to provide root canals on teeth with multiple roots or complex cases.