At Bivona Family Dental, we always aim to save your natural teeth. Of course, that isn’t always possible, but we will attempt to maintain your tooth’s natural structure. If your tooth hurts but you are afraid of needing an extraction, don’t ignore it! Ignoring a toothache often does more harm than good, as whatever is causing the pain will only worsen or spread. Our dentists routinely save the teeth of patients like you using incredibly effective root canal therapy!
While root canals may sound scary, they are actually a very common procedure meant to alleviate pain rather than cause it. In America, more than 15 million root canal procedures are performed every year. This tooth-saving procedure helps stop the spread of infection and makes your smile feel comfortable again! If you think you need a root canal, visit Bivona Family Dental for quality treatment and compassionate care.
What is a Root Canal Infection
There are four main layers to a tooth’s structure.
The enamel is the outermost layer of a tooth, which acts as a hard shell to protect the layers within. The layer underneath that is the dentin, which is softer and has a yellowish color that shows beneath weakened enamel. Dentin contains tubules that transmit sensations, which makes them sensitive to temperatures. The inner layer is the pulp chamber, which houses dental pulp. This pulp is made of tissues, nerves, and blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tooth while it’s growing. Lastly, cementum covers the roots of a tooth, allowing it to stay embedded in your jawbone.
When your enamel is weak from decay or dental trauma, bacteria can spread past your enamel and dentin, infecting the dental pulp. Because the pulp is nerves and blood vessels, this infection is often painful. Bacteria will spread, killing the pulp and rotting the tooth. If left untreated, you will eventually need a tooth extraction to prevent the infection from spreading to your surrounding teeth and jawbone.
Thankfully, root canal therapy both saves your tooth and alleviates tooth pain!
The Root Canal Therapy Process
At Bivona Family Dental, we use root canal therapy to save teeth from extraction by removing the infected pulp and sealing up the area.
First, you will have a consultation with us so we can determine whether you need a root canal. We will perform an exam, take X-rays, and discuss your symptoms with you to further our understanding of your specific needs. If you do need a root canal, we will create a treatment plan that works for you!
At your appointment, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. Then, we’ll use a thin sheet of rubber to cover the infected area, ensuring it stays dry and protected from any saliva. Afterward, we’ll carefully drill a small hole at the top of your tooth through the enamel and dentin to reveal the pulp inside. Using specialized tools, we will remove the pulp, relieving your tooth pain!
Once the pulp is removed, we will then clean the area, flushing out any excess debris and filling it with a thermoplastic material. Finally, we will seal the tooth to prevent further infection, and place a dental crown on top. The crown not only serves as protection, but it also helps restore the tooth’s structure and use!
Usually, in less than a week, your tooth will recover. In the first few days, your teeth may be sensitive to some harder foods, but eventually, you will be able to enjoy a full and functional smile again with no pain!
Tooth Pain? Visit Bivona Family Dental!
If your tooth is causing you pain, that may be a sign that you need a root canal! Ignoring tooth pain will not make it go away. If anything, ignoring your toothache may result in losing your tooth! Trust us to handle your smile with care using our comfortable and effective root canal procedure.
Schedule a consultation at Bivona Family Dental to find out if you may require root canal therapy to save your tooth!
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