Root Canal Therapy
A root canal, a form of endodontic treatment, is the process of treating the inside of an infected or decaying tooth to prevent total loss of the tooth. Inside your tooth, is a soft tissue layer called the pulp. This inner most layer of your tooth containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. The pulp is very important during the development of the tooth, however, once fully mature, it can survive without it. During a root canal, this inner area of the tooth is removed, to clear the tooth of any and all infection and decay. This allows for the dentin, or hard outside layer of the tooth, to continue to thrive by receiving nourishment from the tissues surrounding it. Root canal therapy can be needed for a variety of reasons including: decay has reached the pulp, an infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root, or a form of injury or trauma has occurred to the tooth.
Symptoms of a Root Canal Problem Include:
- A reoccurring abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Swelling and/or tenderness in the gums.
Root canal therapy is one of the most commonly feared dental treatments, according to the American Association of Endodontists. Let Dr. Filali and his highly trained staff put your fears to rest. Despite the stigma, root canal therapy is actually a pain-free, quick and relatively comfortable procedure. In fact, it relieves your pain and can prevent more complicated oral issues down the road.