What is a Root Canal?
Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures available today. A root canal saves the natural tooth and can prevent the need for bridges or implants. You may need a root canal as a result of the inside layer of your tooth, or the pulp, being infected. The pulp is the softest layer of the tooth and contains all of the blood vessels and nerve tissue inside the tooth. Pulp infections can be caused by injury to the tooth, deep decay, cracks, chips, or damage from previous dental procedures.
How is a Root Canal Performed?
If Dr. Lowenguth deems root canal treatment necessary, you will discuss options and treatment steps at a consultation. Most likely, we will recommend nonsurgical treatment. During the procedure, the diseased or injured pulp is removed and the root canal is sealed to prevent further infection.
What Happens After the Procedure?
After a root canal procedure, you should be able to return to your normal routine quickly. We use a local anesthetic during the procedure and it should wear off within a few hours. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth, typically a crown with an underlying post or core to support the crown.
If a problem, like pain or swelling, after the root canal treatment does occur, we are available to respond.
