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Hearing the startling news that you may need a root canal often provokes anxiety for most people. This is largely due to all of the bad press surrounding this procedure in the past. People will often state "I'd rather have a root canal than," followed by something severe and unpleasant. Despite all of the misleading myths and misconceptions spread about it, root canal therapy does, in fact, provide relief rather than pain. It allows a means by which a severely damaged tooth or teeth can be saved. Root canal therapy is typically an extremely successful treatment for the relief of tooth pain. When you exhibit pain, it is due to decay that is left untreated or the nerve in your tooth under a large filling that becomes infected and dies. Do yourself a favor and talk to your dentist about root canal therapy for relief of your aching tooth. 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, preventing tooth loss. 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. Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy There are certain signs that may indicate that you have a diseased tooth or infected nerve that needs to be relieved with root canal therapy. Some common signs include: * Minimal to severe pain that persists for several days
* Tooth discoloration
* Swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue
* Signs of infection visible on a radiograph A root canal is typically recommended by your dentist in order to save the affected tooth and preserve its functionality. A tooth can become inflamed or infected for several reasons, including severe tooth decay or a crack or chip in the tooth. Restorations that fail, including dental fillings and dental crowns can be a breeding ground to bacterial leakage into the dental pulp. Once infected, the dental pulp begins to die and the body's inflammatory responses set in. The combination of infection and inflammation can cause significant pain, with the end result of a toothache. Why are Toothaches Painful? Nerve fibers, blood, and lymph tissues are located in the root canals, and inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that funnels into those root canals. Your tooth can become inflamed or infected for several reasons including: * Severe tooth decay
* Cracked tooth
* Chipped tooth
* Failing restorations such as a filling or crown Once infected, the dental pulp begins to die and the body's inflammatory responses set in. The combination of infection and inflammation can cause significant pain, which results in a toothache. At the initial onset of any pain or discomfort with your teeth, consult your Orland Park dentist to discuss your treatment options. Your dentist in Orland Park can advise you on whether root canal therapy can help stop your pain and treat the infection.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading dentists in Orland Park, IL, Dr. Kyle Takla and Dr. Teresa Terez. Dr. Takla is a Palos Heights, Tinley Park and Orland Park cosmetic dentist exhibiting years of experience in providing quality dental health care for patients of all ages. Experienced in implants, Invisalign and root canals, Dr. Takla is the best choice for dental health care.
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