Root Canals – Lake Ave Dental

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay, infection or trauma. Depending on its location, a tooth may have one or more roots. In order to save the tooth, the canals in each root are cleaned by removing the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and decay. The resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal completed on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that would otherwise have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that requires a root canal is the easier solution. However, it is often the case that extracting a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth. Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Symptoms and indications for possible root canal therapy

An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
Facial or gingival swelling.
Severe toothache pain with hot/cold stimuli.
Pain and/or tenderness without stimulation.
Infection caused by deep decay or very large filling.
Trauma, such as physical blow to a tooth or a constant striking of a tooth in the opposite jaw can traumatize the tooth.
Severe gum disease

Our dentists will take the time to answer your questions about root canal treatment from beginning to end ensuring that you are comfortable and knowledgeable about the process. Our dentist will perform each procedure with gentle efficiency making the treatment as painless and swift as possible.

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