Overview

A diseased or injured nerve use to mean that you were likely to lose a tooth. This is no longer the case thanks to root canal therapy. The procedure can require up to three visits to the dentist but it causes little or no discomfort. The most significant upside is that it is possible to retain your tooth and save your smile.

What is a root canal treatment?

Each tooth contains pulp that supplies nutrients and nerves to the tooth. This pulp connects with the root. The pulp tissue perishes in the event that the pulp is diseased or injured. Opting not to act will mean your tooth will then become infected and you risk losing the tooth. Root canal therapy will salvage the damaged pulp in the root canal. The dentist will extract the diseased pulp, reshape the canal, seal it for protection and strengthen your tooth by fitting a crown.

Why do I need root canal treatment?

Not treating a diseased or injured nerve will cause the infection to spread as your tooth can not heal on its own. Pus develops at the root tip in the jawbone when not treated and forms a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth. The bone surrounding your tooth will breakdown and your tooth may loosen until it falls out. Pain typically increases.

You have another option aside from root canal therapy. You can choose to have the tooth extracted. This will be cheaper but leaves you with a missing tooth. The consequences include a bad bite as the surrounding teeth shift into crooked positions. This means it may be necessary for a bridge or an implant which are likely to be more expensive than root canal therapy. It is advisable to choose the root canal therapy as you will retain your original teeth.

How do I choose an appropriate dentist?

Your dentist can assist you with diseased and injured nerves within your teeth that require root canal therapy. It is generally a simple procedure. Do not hesitate to discuss other treatment options with your dentist.

What causes pulp nerve damage?

Trauma and physical irritation are the two common causes of pulp nerve damage. Sensitive nerve tissue within the tooth can be damaged by trauma to a tooth. This may be a result of a tooth being struck heavily. Physical irritation stems from the spreading of tooth decay to the nerve. The result is decay and infection as destructive bacteria comes into contact with the nerve.

What are the symptoms of pulp nerve damage?

There are several symptoms of pulp nerve damage. These can be similar to other conditions. It is therefore important to visit a dentist to determine the precise problem. The symptoms include a swollen face, heightened sensitivity in your teeth when consuming hot and cold drinks, pain in your tooth brought on by chewing and biting. It is worthwhile noting that each person may experience these symptoms to varying degrees.

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