Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal is a procedure used to save a patient’s natural tooth when there are no other options other than an extraction. When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, a root canal is the last resort. This is the process of completely cleaning the infected tooth and decay all the way down to the tooth’s root. Here, Dr. Kim helps us celebrate Root Canal Awareness Week! Read below to discover how this procedure works and ask yourself, “Do I need root canal therapy?”

101 On Tooth Decay

You may be familiar with the term cavities. Many patients experience cavities at some point in their life. When you eat, some bacteria in your mouth begin to break down your food for digestion. Plaque is formed when bacteria in your mouth are combined with sugar in your food. Plaque is a sticky, clear substance that forms on the surface of your teeth. Because plaque is acidic, it erodes tooth enamel over time when it sits on your teeth. The teeth are extremely tough, but they will eventually wear away over time.

Root Canal Therapy

The American Dental Association suggests visiting your dental office at least twice a year for comprehensive exams and cleanings. If you do this, we will detect decay when it is very small and will not cause internal infections. However, severe tooth decay must be removed completely, or you will lose your entire tooth. That’s when we’d perform a root canal procedure.

Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?

When a tooth requires a root canal, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for. Take note if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Sharp pains or tooth sensitivity
Consistent throbbing or burning pain in a tooth or other area of your mouth
Swelling and tenderness in the surrounding gums
A tooth abscess or discoloration
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages

These are all symptoms of tooth decay. When decay is not the issue, you are most likely dealing with an infected tooth. In either case, you may require a root canal. Root canal therapy is required when:

Deep cavities pierce the pulp, resulting in bacterial infections of exposed pulp.
Internal tooth injuries exist that are not visible on the surface.
Cracks, major chips, and other breaks can occur in the tooth structure.

How Root Canal Therapy Works

In the case of cavities, the decayed area is removed and filled with composite material. However, to avoid a dead tooth, the infected tooth structure must be cleared out. When the pulp (the center nerve part of the tooth) becomes infected or is exposed due to injury, patients will undoubtedly require a root canal. Bacteria can enter and destroy the rest of the tooth, and infection can spread to your bloodstream, causing severe illness. That is why you should never ignore tooth pain, says Dr. Kim.

During root canal therapy, Dr. Kim will use dental tools to open up the top of your tooth during your procedure. Dr. Kim will then work meticulously to remove all decayed and infected parts of your tooth. This is the time-consuming part because she has to clean all the way down to the tooth’s roots. If an infection is not removed, the tooth will continue to decay. Our friends at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, a dentist in Colorado Springs, point out that an untreated tooth will eventually die. Small root canal brushes can be used to remove decay from small tooth roots. Then, the entire tooth is then filled with composite material to preserve the tooth’s structure, and the top is sealed off. A root canal removes everything from the tooth except the healthy pulp that remains.

Restorative Dentistry

Root canal therapy is usually the last option dental professionals will consider before extracting a tooth. If you choose a root canal procedure, you can keep a tooth healthy for many years and keep your natural tooth. It is less expensive for you than having a tooth extracted and receiving a dental implant and dental crown. In many cases, a root canal saves your tooth and allows you to heal within a few days. If you are experiencing tooth pain or require a dental exam, please contact Park Hills Family Dentistry.