Root Canal

A root canal is a procedure specifically designed to save you from losing a tooth. Our teeth are comprised of certain parts, one of them being the pulp. A tooth’s pulp is where the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue are housed. When this area becomes inflamed or infected, then a root canal procedure must be taken in order to save the tooth. 

How Do I Know if I Might Need a Root Canal?

Toothache


These are pretty common, but certain toothaches point to the possibility of an inflamed/infected pulp. If you experience sharp pain in the middle of the night that leads into a generalized headache, then your tooth’s root may be suffering.

Abscess


If you see a bump near the top part of a tooth and/or pus present in the mouth, then there is a good chance a root canal will be required.

Sensitivity


Extreme pain to hot and cold foods is a good indicator.

Discoloration
Dark discoloration on the tooth points to a deteriorated pulp. This is a severe sign.

Don't Wait

If you notice a recurring pain that doesn’t seem to halt, then contact our dentist immediately. It is always better to save a tooth than to have it extracted and replaced.

The Procedure

Root canals are often a two-appointment procedure, with the first appointment taking up to an hour to perform. The second appointment is for a dental crown since most of your tooth with be lost during the process and must be capped with a crown to restore its appearance. 

Saving the tooth is often requires two procedures. The first, is a root canal to treat the infection or inflamed pulp. The second procedure is to properly restore the form and function of the tooth. This usually requires doing a crown.