A root canal is a type of dental treatment that repairs a badly infected/abscessed tooth rather than removal of the tooth.

Root canal therapy involves removing the nerve and pulp from inside the infected tooth, followed by a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the area. The final step involves sealing the root for long term stability.

In the past, these particular procedures had the reputation of being long and painful. With updates in dental technology, this procedure is relatively simple and completed in less time. For complicated teeth with curved or calcified roots, we have a 3d x-ray machine to view the entire tooth at all angles before starting the procedure. Preventive dentistry will aid in minimizing the need for root canals. 

A deep cavity/filling can spread into the nerve of the tooth and lead to complications such as:

● Persistent discomfort and pain
● Increasing sensitivity to hot/cold food and drink
● Infection/abscess of the tooth
● Spread of infection to other teeth
● Spread of infection to the face and neck
● Need for complete extraction of the tooth

Signs and symptoms of an Infected or Compromised Tooth

Common signs that the tooth is unhealthy are not always identified right away, but as the infection progresses, you may notice one (or more) of the following signs:

● Pain and pressure in the area of the infected tooth
● Pain while chewing/biting
● Teeth become reactive to hot or cold foods and beverages
● The color of the tooth slowly darkens, suggesting the nerve has died, usually due to accident/trauma
● Pain and tenderness in your gums increases
● Tooth pain wakes you up in the middle of the night and affects the quality of your sleep
● Spontaneous, throbbing tooth pain that isn’t relieved with over-the-counter pain medications