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Are you wincing from tooth pain? Previously, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed, but today root canal treatment saves many teeth while relieving pain. Root canal therapy has a reputation for being painful and often introduces terrible images into many people's minds, but, in reality, root canal therapy is not the main source of pain. The bad reputation associated with root canals is caused by the fact that people exhibit pain from the infected tooth rather than the actual procedure. Root canal therapy restores and saves an average of 17 million teeth every year. What is Root Canal Therapy? Your tooth is made up of a hard protective shell called enamel, a softer middle layer called dentin and a soft tissue inner layer called dental pulp. Composed of nerve tissue, lymph tissue and blood vessels, the dental pulp is considered a vital part of your tooth. If your dental pulp is severely damaged, the tooth begins to die. Root canal therapy is often the best treatment to prevent and eliminate infection, thus preventing tooth loss and relieving the pain. Root canal therapy allows dentists to save your teeth in the safest way possible and is used to find the cause and treat the problems of the dental pulp. The narrow channels beneath the pulp chamber in the inner part of your tooth are hollowed out and cleaned through root canal therapy and the roots are filled with materials that are designed to prevent pain and infection from recurring. Why are Toothaches so Painful? Root canals are home to nerve fibers, blood, and lymph tissues. Located within each tooth is a pulp chamber that funnels into those root canals. For several reasons, including severe tooth decay or a crack or chip in the tooth, your tooth can become inflamed or infected. Failing restorations, such as fillings and crowns can cause bacterial leakage into the dental pulp, which, once infected, begins to die and the body's inflammatory responses set in. The combination of the infection and inflammation can cause a significant amount of pain, with the end result of a toothache. Signs That You May Have an Infection There are specific signs that may indicate you have an infected nerve or diseased tooth that would require a root canal. Signs you may need root canal therapy include: • Minimal to severe pain
• Tooth discoloration
• Swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue
• Signs of infection visible on a radiograph Root canal therapy may also be necessary because your tooth will not heal by itself and without treatment the infection will spread. Pain usually worsens until you are forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative to a root canal is to have your tooth extracted, which is never an option you would want to take. Early detection is the best way to prevent serious dental damage, stop the pain and save your tooth. At the initial onset of any pain or discomfort with your teeth, consult your Lombard dentist to discuss your treatment options. Your dentist in Lombard can advise you on whether root canal therapy can help stop your pain and treat the infection.
Sean Hartmen writes for premier Lombard gentle dentist, Dr. Mohammed Salamah. Completing all levels of training in Implant Dentistry at the Misch International Implant Institute in Michigan is proof that Dr. Salamah, dentist in Lombard, IL, is the best choice for implants in addition to an array of dental needs for every patient.
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