What are Root Canals?
A root canal is performed to remove the inside pulp of a damaged or compromised tooth. Each one of your teeth has a small pulp, which houses the nerves and blood supply specific to that tooth. When the pulp becomes infected by decay or has been exposed through a crack in the tooth, it needs to be removed. Teeth that need to be root canaled will often be painful and sensitive to hot and cold temperature extremes.
Why might a Root Canal be needed?
The most common reason for needing a root canal is because decay has been allowed to reach the pulp itself. This might have been a cavity that went ignored for too long or there might have been decay that went unnoticed altogether. Another reason for needing a root canal is because a tooth broke, cracked or fractured so severely that the pulp was left exposed. In order to eliminate the pain without the need for extraction, a root canal is performed.
What is a root canal? Dr. Stevens provides a quick overview in this video!
In this video, Dr. Kathleen Stevens discusses when you may need to get a root canal in Jacksonville, FL.
How many dental appointments does it take to get a root canal? Dr. Stevens addresses this common question here!
Discover how your pulp can be damaged with Dr. Stevens!
Who is a candidate for a Root Canal?
While teeth that require root canals will often be severely painful and sensitive, this isn’t always the only way to know if a tooth needs treatment. We will perform an exam and take x-rays of the tooth. This will help us to identify if the pulp was been damaged in any way. If you need a root canal, it is important to have one done as soon as possible, since this prevent further pain and discomfort involving the tooth.
What happens during a Root Canal?
The root canal procedure will begin with a local anesthetic. This is used to numb the area and make the procedure more comfortable for you. We will then place a dental dam, which isolates the tooth from bacteria within the mouth. The decay is removed from the tooth and the pulp taken out using specialized dental tools. The canals of the roots are scraped clean, removing any remaining pulp matter that may be left behind. We then fill these canals with a special material and close the tooth with a filling.
If you would like to learn more about root canals and how they’re done, call us today to speak with one of our professional team members.