If you have an infected tooth or a nerve in your tooth is in pain, then you may need a root canal. Root canals are an important procedure to save badly damaged or infected teeth. Thankfully due to modern advancements, root canal treatments are relatively simple and painless procedures.
A root canal is a procedure where the canals within the teeth are disinfected and sealed off so that bacteria cannot continue to thrive. When a tooth becomes infected the only way to get rid of the infection is to do a root canal or remove the tooth all together. If you have an infected tooth or a nerve in your tooth is in pain, then you may need a root canal.
How Root Canals Work
Each tooth has one or multiple canals that run from the tip of each root to a cave like structure (called the pulp chamber) in the center of the tooth. Because these canals are so thin a very limited amount of infection fighting blood cells can reach this area. When a tooth becomes infected, it is this limited blood supply that prevents our bodies from being able to fight off the infection completely. Even modern antibiotics will not completely remove a dental infection.
Persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling around a tooth can make everyday activities uncomfortable. When these symptoms occur, an examination can help determine whether root canal treatment may be needed to preserve the natural tooth. At Creve Coeur Family & Sedation Dentistry in Creve Coeur, MO, our team evaluates these concerns and discusses appropriate treatment options. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a possible dental infection, contact our office to arrange an evaluation.
