At Hilltop Dental in Duncan, our dentists perform root canals to help save a damaged tooth and prevent the need for an extraction.
What is a Root Canal?
During a root canal, your dentist removes diseased material (blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues) from the interior of a damaged tooth. Without a root canal, damaged teeth can die and may need to be extracted.
Your dentist will start by taking the diseased tissue from the tooth. Next, they will clean and disinfect the inner chamber and fill it with medicated material to prevent infection. To finish the procedure, the tooth is generally capped with a dental restoration, such as a dental crown.
Benefits of a Root Canal
A root canal treatment helps relieve symptoms such as severe tooth pain and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. It can also save your natural tooth, and limit the need for more extensive dental work in the future.
By removing the decay and bacteria from the inner tooth, your dentist can help stop the spread of infection and repair the healthy portion of the tooth.
Most patients who have root canals experience little discomfort or pain and can enjoy a restored tooth. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms below, contact us. Our dental team will be able to diagnose the issue, and determine treatment.
- Swelling and/or tenderness
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums