A root canal is a natural cavity within the center of the tooth that has a soft pulp chamber housing your tooth’s nerve.
Our Columbus root canal dentists perform root canal or endodontic procedures to save teeth that are badly decayed by removing the pulp and nerves and then sealing the cleaned area.
Without treatment, infection and abscesses can form on the tissues surrounding your teeth. If you have an infected tooth it can be very painful and you should seek immediate medical attention from an experienced Columbus root canal dentist.
Signs That A Root Canal Is Needed:
- A tooth’s color darkens
- You experience severe tooth pain when chewing
- Gum tissue near a tooth is swollen, sensitive or pimpled
- Heightened and prolonged hot or cold sensitivity
- Nerve damage and other side effects
Damage to the nerve and pulp can come from decay, large fillings, cracks or chips in a tooth and even trauma to your face. A tooth’s nerve function provides sensory responses to hot and cold temperatures. The removal of the nerve does not affect the primary functions of the tooth. When a tooth’s nerve or pulp is damaged, bacteria can form in the root canal — causing infection identified by various symptoms, including bone loss around the root, swelling of your face or drainage into your gums.
THE ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE
While root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful, most people find that the process is no more painful than receiving a filling. A root canal may require one or more office visits and can be performed by a dentist or endodontic. An endodontic is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the human dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. To start the procedure, your Columbus root canal dentist will take an X-ray to examine the shape of your root canal and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone.
Next, our Columbus root canal therapy dentist will anesthetize the area around the tooth. Similar to when you receive a filling, a hole will be drilled into the affected tooth and the infected pulp and nerve tissue will be removed. A series of files are then used to clean out any remaining debris along the root canal of the tooth. Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed. Depending on the health of the remaining tooth structure, it may be necessary to wait for any remaining infected tissue to heal before the tooth can be sealed. If the root canal cannot be filled on the day of the procedure, then a temporary filling will be placed in your mouth to protect the tooth from food, saliva and bacteria.
Due to the extent of damage or decay to your tooth, it may be necessary to place a crown over the tooth if it cannot be saved. Our Columbus root canal dentists will discuss the need for any additional dental work with you.
AFTER THE ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE
Your tooth may feel sensitive for the first several days after your root canal, especially if your tooth was infected. Typically, any pain resulting from the root canal can be controlled with ordinary over-the-counter medications.
Complications from root canals can arise and are generally due to a re-infection or contamination to the tooth due to additional cracking or a breakdown of the inner sealant. It is important to maintain regular brushing and flossing of your teeth.
To learn more about Columbus root canal dentist Adam Gibson DDS or to request an appointment, please contact us here or call our office directly at (614) 878-9562.