Occasionally, an untreated cavity can damage a tooth to the point where the nerve has sustained trauma or become infected. When this happens, we may recommend endodontic therapy, also known as a “root canal.” The term “root canal” actually refers to the naturally existing spaces inside your teeth.
During this type of therapy, the tissue in the root canal 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. 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. We can use local anesthetics, numbing gel and even nitrous oxide for calming, making the procedure comfortable for you. 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.
