ROOT CANAL TREATMENT  

Our teeth, much like the rest of our body parts, are connected to the circulatory system through arteries, veins and nerves. The roots of teeth are below the gum line and contain canals, which are filled with dental pulp. This dental pulp is responsible for the transfer of nutrients to the tooth. In severe cases of tooth decay, or trauma, this dental pulp can become infected or inflamed. This can be a painful condition known as pulpitis or necrotic pulp. In such cases, the pulp has to be  removed and the canals disinfected. This is essentially what root canal therapy consists of. When properly executed, root canal therapy can be relatively comfortable. The goal is to maintain the tooth structure long term, without  complications such as dental infection.

Root canal symptoms:

It is not very easy to know if you need a root canal procedure and usually no symptoms are there. However, some common symptoms that suggest that you may need a root canal include:

• Extended pain or sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures (after the cold or heat has been removed)
• Excessive toothache pain when applying pressure or chewing
• Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
• Tenderness and swelling in nearby gums
• Persistent or recurring pimple on the gum

Root canal procedure:

Root canal procedure is quite similar to having a cavity filled, though it may take a little longer. Before the treatment, a local anesthetic is given to the patient, to minimize pain or discomfort. After the root canal procedure, pain relievers and possibly even an antibiotic will be prescribed depending on the presence or absence of swelling and the status of the remaining pulp. To find out if you need a root canal, please contact Dentistry on King to schedule an appointment.