Saving Your Teeth From Extraction
& Preserving Your Health
Your tooth’s enamel is the hardest substance in your body, and teeth themselves can exert a pressure of up to 70 pounds per square inch for biting and chewing. Your teeth are most certainly strong, but they aren’t indestructible.
Teeth can break, decay, and undergo multiple forms of damage that may expose the dental pulp, a collection of nerves and living tissues inside of your tooth. If this happens, bacteria can reach this collection of living tissues and cause tooth infection. To eliminate the need for extraction, the dentists at Northbridge Dental offer painless root canal therapy.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy, also called endodontics, is the process of removing damaged and infected material from inside of a tooth, including the root canals. Root canals are the hollow spaces in your teeth that house the dental pulp. By completely cleaning out the root canals, your dentist can eliminate the infection. When an infection or significant damage is caught quickly enough, root canal therapy makes it possible to save your natural teeth from extraction.
Signs That You May Need A Root Canal
There are some common signs of infection or damage that you should be on the lookout for, such as:
- Difficulty chewing
- Dental sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swollen or damaged gums
- Damage to the bone surrounding the tooth
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
- Severe tooth pain
- A loose tooth
- Abscesses on the gums
- Holes, cracks, or chips in your teeth
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Preserves Your Natural Tooth’s Root Structure
The root structure of your teeth sends signals to your body to regenerate jawbone tissue every time you bite. Without that root structure, your jawbone will begin to deteriorate in a process called resorption. Root canal therapy preserves your tooth’s root, allowing your jaw to rebuild bone density and maintain its health.
Stops Infection & Reinfection
Root canal therapy doesn’t just remove infected material to stop infection. It also helps prevent reinfection later on.
Prevents The Need For Invasive, Costly Procedures
Preserving your natural tooth eliminates the need for more invasive surgeries and costly restorations like dental implants.
Alleviates Pain & Sensitivity
Root canals can alleviate the pain, sensitivity, throbbing, and general discomfort caused by tooth infection and extensive dental damage.
The Root Canal Therapy Process
Step 1: Your Initial Consultation
Before you can undergo root canal therapy, you’ll attend an initial consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll determine your eligibility for a root canal by thoroughly examining your mouth, reviewing your medical history, and discussing your smile goals with you. They’ll also discuss all of your options so you can make an informed decision.
Step 2: Preparation
To prepare your mouth for root canal treatment, we’ll perform a thorough dental cleaning. Then, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to the surgical site so you’ll be comfortable during your procedure. We’ll then place a rubber dam around the tooth to ensure no saliva or debris enters the tooth during your procedure.
Step 3: Therapy
Your dentist will make a small opening in your tooth. Then, they’ll remove any decayed, damaged or infected material and completely disinfect the root canals. Once the inside of your tooth is completely clean, your dentist will seal the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, then further seal it with a composite filling. Depending on your case, they may also shape the tooth into a base, and apply a dental crown to further reinforce the tooth’s structure.