Root Canal

Root canals are necessary when there is an abscess in the base of the tooth, in the root. Specialized dentristry is required. Root canals have a reputation for being painful, but when done right that is not the case. A root canal can relieve serious pain.

About Root Canal

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected.

Root canal procedures are performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp (the pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the center of the tooth) becomes damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed to get rid of the bacteria and other decaying debris that can cause an infection and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. In actuality, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a routine filling placed. The discomfort experienced in the period leading up to a seeking of dental care is truly the painful period of time, not the root canal procedure itself.

Signs that you may need a root canal:
*Severe toothache pain upon chewing or with the application of pressure
*Prolonged sensitivity and or pain when exposed to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed)
*Discoloration of the tooth
*Swelling and tenderness in the gums nearby
*A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
*Sometimes there are no symptoms

The root canal procedure should relieve any pain that you were having. Until your root canal procedure is completely finished (the permanent filling is in place and/or the crown is in place), it is suggested that you minimize chewing on the tooth under repair. This step will help avoid recontamination of the interior of the tooth and also may prevent a fragile tooth from breaking before the tooth can be fully restored.

For the first few days following the completion of treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive due to the natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or an infection before the procedure. Any sensitivity after the procedure can be controlled with the use of medications such as Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or Naproxen (Aleve). Most patients can return to their normal activities the next day.

The root canal procedure is highly successful with the procedure having more than a 95 percent success rate and many teeth fixed with a root canal can last a lifetime.

Recent Root Canal Questions

How long does it take to do a root canal?

8 hr 1 min ago - A straight forward root canal only takes about 1 hour for mos...
Why do dentists do root canals?

8 hr 2 min ago - A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth t...
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8 hr 10 min ago - For most people, it is obvious that they have an infection. T...
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13 hr 58 min ago - If a single tooth or a couple of teeth side by side turn dark...
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16 hr ago - Depending on the number of teeth and severity affected, root ...
Is a root canal painful?

18 hr 6 min ago - A dentist will inject an anesthetic that will completely numb...
How is a root canal done?

18 hr 13 min ago - All of the diseased pulp in the tooth is removed, and the can...
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Yesterday, 9:41pm - For a front tooth you can expect to be pay around $500. Molar...
Are root canals painful?

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What happens when you get a root canal?

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Do root canals hurt?

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How is a root canal performed?

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