That sounds scary, doesn’t it? It’s really not. Sometimes, untreated cavities decay a tooth to the point where the nerve has sustained trauma or become infected. When this happens, we may recommend a procedure that is commonly known as a “root canal,” although that term generally refers to the naturally existing spaces inside your teeth. The actual procedure is called “endodontic therapy.”
During endodontic therapy, the tissue inside of your numbed tooth will be removed. This includes the tooth’s nerve. Next, we’ll fill all those empty spaces with a material that will keep the root ends safe while allowing us to see through the tooth on an x-ray. That helps us make sure we’ve got the problem solved. Finally, the remaining tooth surfaces will be prepared for a crown.
It’s important for patients to realize that endodontic therapy is a relatively painless procedure. Most of the time, people tend to associate the pain of the abscess or trauma with the correcting procedure. If you’re nervous about an upcoming root canal, make sure to let us know. We’ll be happy to talk over the options available and help you feel good about your dental health.
