Root Canal
When the tiny canals inside your tooth become infected and the pulp inside becomes diseased, you need to see a cosmetic dentist for aroot canal. Your dentist can remove the infected areas by performing a root canal and will then fill in the space with a filling or a crown. Most people who get root canals have untreated cavities, or the pulp inside the tooth has become inflamed. When inflammation leads to infection, a root canal is required to restore your teeth to a healthier state.
Talk to a dentist in your area to find out if you need a root canal before other types of cosmetic dentistry procedures and to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment.
Root Canal Procedure
The root canal is typically performed in one or two visits, depending on how severely the tooth has been affected. In order to perform this procedure, your dentist will numb the area around the affected tooth with anesthetic. You may also have the option to choose mild sedation for the procedure. A small dam is placed around the area, and the tooth is drilled to the pulp.
Your dentist will then measure the root canal after removing some of the pulp. The canal is cleaned before it is filled with a flexible plastic material, then topped with a temporary filling. If your dentist doesn’t detect any signs of infection with the temporary filling, you may be a good candidate for a permanent filling or a crown.
Advantages of a Root Canal
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Performed in just one or two visits
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Relatively little pain involved, especially when anesthetic or sedation is used
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92% success rate
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Infected tooth will not have to be extracted in the future
Disadvantages of a Root Canal
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Soreness and discomfort for about three days after the procedure
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Infected tissue may end up pushing through to the root
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Area may need to be retreated if part of the canal was not discovered or cleaned properly
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Risk of infection even after the procedure
