A restorative dentist might perform a root canal to save a tooth with a damaged pulp chamber. It is a beneficial treatment that can have therapeutic benefits. A tooth’s pulp chamber is the innermost layer that contains its nerve and blood vessels. It is sealed off from the rest of a tooth so bacteria and acids cannot reach it.
A tooth’s pulp chamber can be opened up by trauma to the tooth or decay. This leaves the soft tissues there exposed to bacteria and acids in the mouth. The acids can cause excruciating toothaches, while bacteria in the mouth can infect the tissues in the pulp chamber. The infection can then spread to other parts of the body, like the brain, and have life-threatening consequences.
Common dental issues that a restorative dentist might recommend root canal therapy for include:
Root canals have an unfair reputation as a dental treatment, but it is typically a painless affair. A local anesthetic can be administered at the start of the treatment.
It is a straightforward procedure that involves using a dental drill to make a hole into a tooth’s pulp chamber. Dental tools are used to extract these soft tissues from teeth, and medication might be applied to the area.
Once the tooth has been cleaned and medicated, it is sealed back up with a material known as gutta-percha. The tooth can then be rebuilt with a composite resin or covered up with a crown. Crowns are typically recommended for teeth at the back of the mouth because they handle the most significant bite forces.
It takes about an hour to restore a tooth with a root canal, and the procedure has a high success rate. It is often enough to fully treat an infected tooth unless the infection has reached the tooth’s roots. At that point, an extraction might be needed to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body, where it can have life-threatening consequences.
Most patients do not experience any pain or discomfort afterward. If they do, it can be managed with over-the-counter medication. Root canals often bring an end to any pain that the patient was experiencing leading up to their dental visit.
A root canal allows a dentist to save a severely damaged tooth, so it does not have to be replaced with an oral prosthetic. There is no recovery period, so you can get back to your daily routine once the treatment is over. Give us a call or stop by our Huntsville clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist if you have a decayed or damaged tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.angelafennell.com or call Angela S. Fennell DMD, PC at (256) 660-3089 for an appointment in our Huntsville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Restorative Dentistry in Huntsville, AL.
A restorative dentist might recommend a dental bridge if you are missing multiple teeth right next to each other. Read on to learn more about this type of restoration. Bridges are permanently fixed artificial teeth that are usually secured to the two teeth closest to the gap. These oral devices help restore the function of…
A restorative dentist can bring back your smile and dental function. You should consult this dentist first before your treatments begin. That way, you will know what the procedures will entail. Here are some of the things to expect during your consultation with your dentist.Some restorative dental treatments are invasive. This may cause anxiety in…
A restorative dentist primarily focuses on improving a patient’s oral health and ability to function (e.g., chew food) after damage to teeth and the gums occurs. However, restorative dentistry also offers cosmetic benefits as well. This review discusses the ways in which visiting a restorative dentist can help your smile.Some of the more common restorative…
Looking for the best restorative dentist to fix all of your mouth problems? If you have some dental issues that need to be addressed so you can once again have good oral health, then finding the right dentist is going to be your first step.Restorative dentistry can make all the differenceIf you are currently looking…
Learning more about your options for getting new dentures is necessary, as you need to make a choice that works for you. This requires thinking about your current lifestyle and how denture care will fit in. Denture care is very important, as when you take proper care of your dentures, they can last many years.Finding…
A dental bridge might be the right treatment if you have lost one or more teeth and want to enhance your oral health and self-esteem. The dental bridge can restore your smile’s appearance and allow you to chew normally once more. If you are considering this treatment, this article outlines all the steps involved so…