Root Canals

Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, are a common dental procedure used to treat a tooth whose pulp has become damaged or inflamed. This inflamed area is known as an abscess which is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, the abscess can lead to a complicated, potentially even life-threatening condition. Root canals should not be avoided. The sooner an infected root can be treated, the more likely you’ll be able to save your natural tooth.

How to Detect an Abscessed Tooth

You may notice pain or discomfort while chewing or biting or a severe constant throbbing pain that extends throughout your jaw. You may experience tooth sensitivity to heat and cold. Swollen or tender gums and foul odour in your mouth are also indicative of a serious problem. A fever may also accompany any of these symptoms. Your dentist will usually take a dental x-ray to check for an infection that may be affecting the tooth.

How is the Root Canal Procedure Done?

Your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to freeze the area. It is important to protect the tooth from any bacteria in your saliva, so a rubber dam will be placed around the tooth that is being treated. The dentist will make a small opening in the tooth and remove the damaged pulp by cleaning and enlarging the root canal system. After this procedure, the dentist will fill and seal the canal and close the opening of the tooth with a filling.