When Is Root Canal Therapy Needed?

During a root canal therapy, your dentist or endodontist will remove damaged or infected tissue from the canals of your tooth. The tooth will then be carefully cleaned and disinfected to remove bacteria, and then a temporary filling will be placed. When the area has healed, a permanent dental filling or dental crown will be placed to strengthen and protect the tooth. Root canal treatments may be required for various reasons. Your dentist will need to perform an examination in order to determine the condition of your tooth and the proper course of treatment.

In some situations, a tooth may be asymptomatic, or have no symptoms. This can indicate that the nerve is diseased or dead. Asymptomatic teeth may be disgnosed through routine dental exams and X-rays. A dental X-ray may reveal changes in bone density due to the active infection in the tooth. A dental exam can also reveal a small lesion or swelling, much like a pimple, that keeps the infection drained, thereby lowering the amount of pain and discomfort a patient may experience.

In most cases, though, a tooth that needs a root canal will make its presence very well-known to the individual. It will be painful to the touch, throb, or swell along the gumline. These teeth usually have active infections. Even though signs of infected teeth are usually rather apparent, the tooth will still need to be diagnosed and treated by a dentist.

Sometimes teeth may require root canals even when there is no infection present. That is as they have been dramatically damaged. When a tooth has been traumatized, the tooth may immediately appear stable. still, the nerve can slowly degenerate over the course of months or even years. The gradual degeneration can result in the tooth developing a dark gray color. This discoloration can often be the first indication that anything is wrong.

A cracked or broken tooth can also necessitate a root canal, specifically if the root has been exposed. Root exposure can also occur due to extensive dental work or severe decay. Sometimes, the patient may be aware that the root is exposed. Still, if it happens during a dental procedure, the patient may not even notice, and the dentist will complete the root canal at that time to prevent future complications.

While root canal treatments have often gotten a bad reputation over the years, they play a crucial role in helping you preserve your oral health. They can help you preserve your natural teeth, which helps lower your risk of gum disease and tooth decay associated with tooth loss.

About the Author

Visit SunsetPlazaDental.com to learn more about root canal treatment. Our West Hollywood root canal treatment expert can give you more information about this treatment as well.

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