Are you experiencing severe pain when chewing? Is your tooth especially sensitive to hot or cold temperatures? Have you noticed any darkening or discoloration on one of your teeth? What about swelling of the gums? A recurring pimple on the gums? All of these are warning signs that you may need a Root Canal.
Root Canals, more than any other dental procedure, have a certain stigma surrounding it. So we understand you may have several questions: Do I really need a root canal? How painful is a root canal? How does a root canal save the tooth?
While we have addressed the first two questions in previous blogs, the last is the topic of today’s discussion. So how does a root canal save a tooth?
Well, when tooth decay or damage is so severe that it extends through the outer enamel and dentine layers of a tooth into the inner pulp layer, a root canal may be your best solution to eliminate pain and prevent further damage. During a root canal, your dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space using a sealer paste and a rubber compound called gutta percha. A filling is then placed to cover the exterior hole.
Following the procedure, your dentist will place a crown on the tooth to protect it and allow you to return to normal activities. You will be as good as new.
Root Canals by Dr. Steckler, Your Annapolis Dentist
At Annapolis Dental Care, you can be rest assured that “your comfort and care are our greatest concerns.” It is Dr. Steckler’s philosophy and the philosophy over everyone here to make your experiences as comfortable as possible.
When performed by a dentist who cares for his patients, a root canal should be pretty pain–free, using just a local anesthetic. If, for whatever reason, a local anesthetic is not an option, sedation dentistry could be used.
If you have any questions about our blog, “How does a Root Canal save the Tooth?” or if you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.