Root Canals
Root Canals
At Oak Hollow Family Dental, we understand the importance of staying educated on the newest findings in dentistry and providing you with the best overall care. In the past, when a patient experienced decay or damage to the nerve center, it was common for that tooth to be extracted. In new and updated dental procedures, the process of performing root canals can eliminate the decay and correct any damage to the nerve center of the tooth, allowing the patient to avoid extraction.
Treatment
If your tooth has erupted from the gums, the tooth’s health and functionality are not determined by the health of the tooth’s nerves. Each tooth has a nerve center which is located in the center of the tooth crown and extends down through each tooth root. This area is formally called the pulp.
If your tooth experiences a break or a crack, decay and bacteria can travel into the center of the tooth and infect the pulp. In cases where the decay is left alone and not treated, an abscess may form, resulting in major swelling and pain.
Procedure for Root Canals
A procedure for root canals, in total, takes around 3 appointments to our Draper, Utah, office. Once you have been diagnosed by a dental professional that a root canal treatment is needed, it is first essential to remove all infected tissue. To remove the infection, the dentist will use specially designed dental instruments to enter the tooth and remove all of the nerves from the root.
Once the pulp or nerves are completely removed from the tooth, the inner tooth will then need to be cleaned and sealed. The area must be cleaned thoroughly to prevent any further infection or decay.
The last step in the root canal treatment is to fill the center of the tooth with a composite resin material. This helps the tooth become strong enough to withstand the pressures of our teeth’s daily functions.
Caring for your Root Canal
After a root canal procedure has been completed, we highly recommend and encourage our patients to stay diligent in keeping all of their teeth healthy and clean. Performing at-home oral care and keeping up with your bi-yearly cleanings here at our Draper, Utah office will allow your root-canal to last a lifetime.
Only a dental professional can diagnose that you need a root canal treatment, but there are signs and symptoms you can look out for that may indicate a dental problem is occurring. Some of the most reported signs of an infected root include:
- Pain while chewing or applying pressure to a specific tooth
- Severe and constant toothache
- Pain or severe sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums surrounding a tooth
- Darkened or discolored teeth
Please be active in keeping your teeth healthy to prevent dental problems from arising, but if they do, know that we have your back. Give us a call to schedule an appointment if you are experiencing any of the signs listed above.