Many people cringe when they hear the term “root canal” because they imagine that getting one involves an immense amount of agonizing pain. In reality, a root canal is not nearly as painful as many people think. Additionally, the procedure is an effective means of preventing tooth loss due to decay or disease. Here is some basic information about root canal procedures and signs you may need one.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that consists of removing a tooth’s pulp, which is a mass of soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. This pulp plays an instrumental part in helping teeth grow in children and adolescents. However, it becomes unnecessary once a person’s adult teeth have fully grown in.
Through tooth decay, disease, or trauma, the pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. As a result, many people experience oral pain and may develop abscesses on their gums. If left untreated, the tooth will deteriorate and eventually break or fall out. However, removing the pulp and filling the gap with a material called gutta-percha can eliminate the pain, restore the tooth’s function, and prevent further damage.
Typically the procedure is performed using anesthesia, and the dentist will prescribe medication to help patients manage any leftover pain caused by the surgery.
Signs a Root Canal is Needed
Your dentist may recommend a root canal if you exhibit the following symptoms:
Mild to throbbing pain in your tooth
Tooth sensitivity; you experience pain when eating hot or cold foods
Gum tenderness or swelling
Swelling and/or pain around the face or neck
Boils on the gums that produce pus
Evidence of gum disease
Noticeable changes in the tooth’s color; this typically indicates the enamel has worn away exposing the dentin and pulp to environmental elements
The dentist will perform a variety of tests to confirm the cause of your symptoms, evaluate the health of the nerves in the tooth, and determine if a root canal is the best way to go about fixing your tooth-related ailments.
To learn more about having a Root Canal in Newport News, visit website or make an appointment with a knowledgeable and experienced dentist close to you.
