What is a root canal?
A root canal, or root canal therapy, is a treatment to remove decayed or infected tissue from the inside of your tooth. Root canals are the best way to save a tooth with serious internal infection or damage.
This procedure preserves your natural tooth and adds new reinforcing materials inside it. Usually, you'll get a porcelain crown that envelops your whole tooth after a root canal.
When is a root canal preferable to tooth extraction?
Although extracting your tooth removes the decay or infection, it can lead to major issues for the adjacent teeth if you don't get a dental implant, denture, bridge, or other tooth replacement.
When you have an empty spot between teeth, the nearby teeth can shift into the gap. An empty socket can also be a bacteria trap and cause underlying bone loss.
Overall, a root canal is always preferable to losing a tooth. But there may be situations when the tooth is too decayed or damaged to preserve with a root canal. In those cases, the team may recommend extraction and tooth replacement instead of a root canal.
What symptoms indicate I need a root canal?
Although infections and damage don't always cause symptoms, you usually experience severe tooth pain when you need a root canal.
You may also experience other symptoms like:
- A bump on your gums
- Gum swelling
- Increased tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold temperatures
- Jaw swelling
- Tooth darkening
These symptoms indicate that you have decay or infection deep inside the tooth's inner tissues.
What can I expect during a root canal?
During this procedure, Dr. Kupelian administers a numbing medication, which means your root canal is virtually painless. He places a protective rubber sheet around your tooth and then makes a tiny opening in the tooth.
Dr. Kupelian uses miniature dental tools called files to extract the tooth nerve, bacteria, and other tissues (the pulp) inside the tooth. He disinfects the entire tooth and then places a filling in the tooth opening.
About a week later, you'll typically return to the office so Dr. Kupelian can fill the tooth roots and the inside of the tooth with sterile support material. He places a crown over the tooth to bring it back to 100% function and appearance.
f your tooth hurts and you need help fast, call Armen Kupelian DDS, Inc. or book an appointment online now.
