What is a root canal?
A root canal is a restorative procedure that treats a damaged or infected tooth by removing its pulp. It enables Dr. Chakka to treat your damaged or infected tooth while still keeping its essential structures intact.
Many people think that root canals are a scary or painful procedure, but in reality, they’re no more painful than a simple dental filling. In fact, root canals alleviate the severe pain that’s caused by damaged or infected tooth pulp.
When would I need a root canal?
You need a root canal if your tooth pulp is infected or damaged. Your pulp is the soft tissue inside of your tooth. It’s composed of connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerve fibers.
When it’s infected or damaged, it swells, which pinches the nerve fibers and causes a great deal of pain. Some of the common signs of damaged or infected tooth pulp include:
- Severe pain in your tooth
- A darkened or discolored tooth
- Swelling or tenderness in your gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- A small, pus-filled pimple around your tooth’s root
If left untreated, an infected or damaged tooth can lead to serious conditions like tooth loss, infection of nearby teeth or your jawbone, or sepsis.
What happens during a root canal procedure?
Dr. Chakka first takes an X-ray of your mouth to assess the extent of your tooth’s damage and to use it as a road map during the procedure. He then anesthetizes your tooth and protects the rest of your smile with a rubber dental dam.
Next, he drills a small access hole in the top of your tooth and uses a series of small files to scrape out all of your decayed tooth pulp.
Once your tooth is free of dead pulp, he sterilizes the inside of your tooth and fills it with a rubbery compound called gutta-percha. He fills the hole in the top of your tooth with a dental filling, then fits you with a dental crown to restore your tooth’s strength and structure. Dr. Chakka may also recommend antibiotics if needed to treat existing infections.
If you have a damaged or infected tooth, don’t wait around any longer — it’s only going to get worse. Schedule your root canal at Stadium Dental & Orthodontics by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.
