Root Canal The word "root canal" has become a bit of a punchline in the past few years, but when it comes to oral health, this is no laughing matter. In fact, root canal therapy is one of the most important treatments that we perform on patients at Highridge Dental Care and you should take advantage of it as soon as possible if you are experiencing tooth pain and discomfort. What is root canal therapy?Root canal therapy is a treatment for tooth pain or infection. It can also be called an endodontic procedure, which means "inside the dentin" (the layer of hard tissue that covers your teeth). During root canal therapy, infected material inside your tooth is removed by drilling into it and cleaning out the pulp chamber. The space created after removing this infected material serves as a protective barrier against further decay below the gum line. Afterward, we will seal off each individual root with gutta-percha points to keep any bacteria from re-entering through these roots to reach deeper layers of bone in order to cause future infections or damage. Fillings are then bonded onto each individual tooth crown where they cover the root canal to keep out debris. Who should consider getting a root canal?People with prolonged tooth pain that does not respond to over-the-counter medications or simple dental treatments may need a root canal. A typical symptom is acute sensitivity of teeth, which can be relieved by eating cold treats like popsicles or ice cream before the discomfort kicks in. Other indications include facial paralysis and inflammation at the back of your throat when you swallow. If these symptoms last for more than two days, it's time to come see us as soon as possible. Dangers of ignoring a root canalIf left untreated, a tooth that has an infected root canal will have more complications. The infection can spread through the body and cause serious illnesses like endocarditis or meningitis. The worst-case scenario is loss of life due to heart disease caused by septicemia from an untreated mouth condition. How long does it take for symptoms of a root canal to appear?If a tooth is infected with the bacteria that cause periodontal disease, you may not experience any symptoms right away. The infection could take up to three months before it becomes severe enough for notice. In other cases, our dentist might detect an early sign of infection when they do a routine checkup and x-ray or cleaning. How long can I wait until treatment?This depends on how quickly the pain progresses as well as where in your mouth the problem starts. If it's in an area where chewing hurts, then this indicates advanced decay or gum disease. We recommend these issues should be addressed immediately because 80% of teeth with advanced decay will need root canal therapy at some point. A root canal procedure allows your teeth the opportunity to heal and prevents future infection or decay from occurring beneath the gum line. Our professionals at Highridge Dental Care have both the skill and expertise to perform root canals. If you are experiencing tooth pain in an advanced stage, contact our office for an appointment at (916) 909-8989 today! We will be happy to care for you as soon as possible! |
 Phone(916) 909-8989 HoursMonday -Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday: 8:00am - 2:00pm - By appointment |
