Everything You Need To Know About Root Canal Treatments And More.
When your dentist mentions that you need a root canal, there are probably a number of thoughts running through your head — starting with what is a root canal?
Many people are worried that having a root canal performed will be a long, painful experience. Root canals are an important routine procedure that many people have to save a decaying or infected tooth and are worthwhile if your dentist recommends the procedure.
This article will provide you with everything you need to know about root canal treatments and help you determine whether it’s the right choice for you. After reading this article, we hope you’ll feel more confident in your decision and can contact your local dentist for a root canal consultant.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure typically done to restore and save a badly decaying or infected tooth.
Before going into detail on what a root canal is, you first need to understand the make-up of your teeth. There are two main parts, the crown, and the root.
To really understand what a root canal is, you need to understand the basic anatomy of your teeth. Specifically, what’s going on under the crown, the area you can see when looking in your mouth.
The part of the tooth you can see is considered the crown, and the root is below the gum line in the jaw bone. Within the crown of your tooth, there is a pulp chamber. That pulp chamber connects to the root of the tooth. This is what is considered the root canal.
The root canal contains dental pulp that is made up of nerves and blood vessels.
A root canal is needed when this pulp tissue becomes infected or when it is anticipated that treating a cavity will cause inflammation. During the procedure, your doctor will remove the affected or infected dental pulp from the canal.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
To know for sure whether you need a root canal or not can only be determined by your dentist, but there are a few warning signs you might notice.
Tooth Pain
While tooth pain doesn’t always mean you need a root canal, you should visit your dentist if it’s constant or reoccurs frequently. When a root canal is required, many people feel the pain deep in the bone of their tooth or in other areas of their face and jaw.
Temperature Sensitivity
If sensitive teeth are something you experience regularly, this might not be a sign of concern. But, if you notice a lingering dull ache or sharp pains when eating something hot or cold that doesn’t go away once you’ve stopped eating — this could be a sign you need a root canal.
Tooth Discoloration
When the pulp of the tooth becomes damaged, which can even be triggered years after a trauma to the tooth, discoloration can occur. If you notice that your tooth has turned a yellow, brown, or pinkish red color, it could indicate that the nerve within the root of your tooth has become damaged.
