{"id":2074,"date":"2023-09-01T20:56:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T20:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drgalaif.com\/?p=2074"},"modified":"2024-12-04T17:10:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T17:10:23","slug":"the-truth-about-root-canals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drgalaif.com\/the-truth-about-root-canals\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth about Root Canals"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Root Canal<\/em> treatment (also known as an endodontic treatment) is a dental procedure to remove inflamed or infected pulp inside of your tooth, which is then cleaned and disinfected, filled and sealed.\u00a0 The goal is to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth, instead of removing it. \u00a0Root Canal<\/em> treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from an infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth, and try to save your natural tooth.\u00a0 The term “Root Canal” comes from cleaning of the canals inside a tooth’s root. \u00a0You don\u2019t need to be overly worried if Dr. Galaif prescribes a Root Canal<\/em> procedure to treat your damaged or diseased tooth. \u00a0Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain and helping make teeth healthy again.\u00a0 Decades ago, Root Canal<\/em> treatments were sometimes painful and often caused anxiety for some patients. With dental advances and local anesthetics, most people have little if any pain during their treatment. \u00a0In reality, it’s typically much more painful to live with your decayed or decaying tooth.<\/p>\n

Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called \u201cdentin\u201d is a soft tissue called \u201cpulp.\u201d\u00a0 The pulp extends from the crown (the visible part of your tooth) to the tip of the tooth’s root in the jawbone. This pulp tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth during development.<\/p>\n

When a tooth is cracked or chipped, or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp. Injury to the tooth can also cause pulp damage and inflammation.\u00a0 A tooth’s nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, and also because of trauma to the face.\u00a0 You might injure a tooth if you get hit in the mouth, and the pulp can still be damaged even if the injury doesn\u2019t crack your tooth.\u00a0 Left untreated, bacteria and decaying material can cause a serious infection or a tooth \u201cabscess,\u201d leading to pulp death, bone loss and ultimately loss of the tooth itself.\u00a0 An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth, and happens when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of these roots.<\/p>\n

A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by tissues surrounding it.\u00a0 A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function, after your tooth has come through the gums.\u00a0 Its main function is sensory \u2013 to allow the sensation of hot or cold. \u00a0The absence of a nerve won\u2019t affect how your tooth works.<\/p>\n

How to Know if You Need a Root Canal<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Root Canal<\/em> treatment may be needed for a cracked tooth from injury or genetics, a deep cavity, or issues from a previous filling. \u00a0Patients generally may need a Root Canal<\/em> when they notice their teeth are sensitive, particularly to hot and cold sensations.<\/p>\n

Here are potential symptoms that might indicate your need for a Root Canal<\/em> procedure:<\/p>\n