What Is a Root Canal?
The term “root canal” can refer to both the inner part (passages) of the tooth between the pulp and tooth roots, and to the dental procedure used to remove infected material and relieve root canal pain. The root canals contain nerves and blood vessels. Once an adult tooth has emerged from the gums, the tooth’s nerve doesn’t serve a specific purpose other than sensing heat, cold, and other stimuli. Removing a nerve in an infected tooth is part of a standard procedure to treat teeth pain caused by decay or infection in the tooth pulp.
What Causes Root Canals?
Common causes of root canals pain include:
· Decay: Tooth decay that has penetrated the outer layers of the teeth causes root canal pain.
· Damage: Cracks or chips in teeth can cause tooth decay and root canal pain.
· Disease: Risk factors for infection in the tooth pulp include severe tooth decay, trauma to the tooth, recent dental procedures, large fillings, and cracks or chips in the teeth. If the cause of your teeth pain is serious decay or infection in the tooth pulp, your dentist may recommend a root canal.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Not all types of teeth pain are indications for a root canal. But signs of infection severe enough to require a root canal include:
· Serious teeth pain when eating or when you put pressure on the area
· Teeth pain and sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the hot or cold stimuli have been removed
· A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the area of teeth pain
· Tenderness or swelling in the gums near the area of teeth pain
Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent
reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth. When you have a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. Root canals are needed when:
- Deep decay
- Repeated dental procedures on the tooth
- Force to the area like a fall or accident
- Crack or chip in the tooth
Endodontic treatment helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you
love and limits the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had
root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
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