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Are you experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling and tenderness in the gums? You might be in need of a root canal. Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure performed to relieve dental pain and save your teeth. Patients typically need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth. During root canal treatment, our Zephyrhills dentist carefully removes the pulp inside the tooth, cleans, disinfects, and shapes the root canals, and places a filling to seal the space.
Why Should I Get Root Canal Therapy?
If you're experiencing tooth pain or discomfort, it's essential not to ignore these symptoms. They could indicate a deeper issue, such as a root infection or severe decay. Root canal therapy is often the best solution for preserving your natural tooth and preventing the need for extraction. By removing the infected or inflamed pulp, the procedure eliminates pain and prevents further complications. It's a highly successful treatment with a success rate of over 95%. Most teeth fixed with a root canal can last a lifetime with proper care.
DID YOU KNOW?
Root canal therapy actually causes less discomfort than a tooth extraction!
The Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy
Pain Relief
One of the main benefits of root canal therapy is the relief from severe tooth pain. The procedure involves removing the infected pulp, which is the source of the discomfort. Once the pulp is removed, the pain will subside. After the procedure, any discomfort or sensitivity is usually short-term and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Preservation of Natural Tooth
Root canal therapy allows for the preservation of your natural tooth. Keeping your natural tooth helps prevent other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems. It also means less need for ongoing dental work in the future. Preserving your natural tooth is always a better option than extraction, both for health and cosmetic reasons.
Prevention of Spread of Infection
If left untreated, the infection in the tooth pulp can spread to other teeth and even to the jawbone, leading to more severe health problems. Root canal therapy stops the infection in its tracks, preventing it from spreading and causing further damage.
The Root Canal Therapy Treatment Process
X-ray and Anesthesia
The first step in Root Canal Therapy is taking an X-ray to determine the shape of the root canals and see if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Your dentist will then use local anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth, although it's not always necessary since the tooth is often dead.
Pulpectomy
In this step, an opening is created and the infected tooth pulp is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals. The dentist will then clean the area thoroughly to get rid of bacteria and debris.
Filling and Sealing
After the pulp has been removed and the inside of the tooth has been cleaned, the next step is filling the root canals. The dentist uses a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to fill the canals. After the tooth is filled, it is sealed with a temporary filling to protect it from contamination. Then, the temporary filling will be removed and the tooth will be restored with a crown or filling for protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions?
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