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Is your tooth painful and unbearable? You may need a root canal, but don't panic. Root canal therapy is often associated with causing pain, but the pain experienced is from the infected tooth, which is then relieved through root canal therapy. Known to restore and save an average of 17 million teeth each year, root canal therapy helps to keep your tooth and stop the pain, which is always better than having a tooth extraction. When decay is likely to damage or has already killed a tooth, root canal therapy is needed. For most people, their experience during root canal treatment will be no different than what they experience when having other types of dental procedures performed, such as having a filling placed. A root canal's stress-inducing reputation took charge several decades ago, when root canal treatment really was painful. Today, its reputation remains unchanged, even though the procedure itself has changed. Patients receiving root canals today can describe the procedure as painless, rather than painful, putting an end to root canal therapy myths. What is Root Canal Therapy? Also referred to as endodontic treatment, root canal therapy is a dental procedure that is used to remove diseased pulp tissue from the interior of the tooth. During the procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed in order to clean and seal the inside of the tooth. Without proper treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth can become infected and form abscesses. The root canal is the natural cavity within the center of your tooth and the pulp is the soft area within the root canal. Your tooth is disinfected and all debris is removed from the coronal pulp chamber and its associated canals. Once the tooth's canals are properly cleansed and shaped, they are filled with materials that are designed to prevent pain and infection from recurring. This may be where the common misconception lies. Rather than causing the pain in your tooth, root canal therapy is actually eliminating it and preventing any further pain or infection. Signs and Symptoms you may Need Root Canal Therapy At first, if you have an infection of the pulp, you may not feel any pain. If the infection is left untreated, it will cause pain and swelling, with some cases forming an abscess. You may need root canal therapy if your tooth: * Hurts when you bite down on it, touch it or push on it
* Is sensitive to heat or cold for more than a couple of seconds
* Has swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue
* Is discolored
* Is broken
* Shows signs of infection visible on a radiograph Your dentist will recommend a root canal in situations like these in order to save the affected tooth and preserve its functionality. Root canal therapy can be performed in one or more visits, depending on the situation. An uncomplicated root canal therapy can often be completed in one visit, while teeth that are more difficult to treat because of their location may take longer to treat. If you are exhibiting pain in one tooth or multiple teeth, it is important to visit your Niagra Falls dentist for consultation and assessment of your teeth. Without treatment, your infection could spread and the bone around the tooth can begin to degenerate causing the tooth to fall out. Consult your dentist immediately to put an end to your tooth pain.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Robert LaCarrubba at Niagara Quality Care Dentistry, Niagara Falls general dentist. Offering services in areas such as sedation, veneers, six month braces and implants in Niagara Falls, Dr. LaCarrubba is committed to providing patients with the best dental care available.
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