Root Canal Therapy
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is a treatment for diseased or injured teeth designed to remove the source of infection or discomfort and allow you to keep your natural teeth.
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What does a root canal procedure involve?
If your tooth requires a root canal, the first thing your dentist will do is properly numb the area, so you will experience little or no discomfort during the procedure. When you are comfortable, your dentist will open the tooth and access the pulp chamber (the area inside the tooth where the living tissue is) and remove all of the tissue, along with any bacteria and decay. Finally, the chamber will be filled with permanent filling material and cement, and the tooth will be sealed with a temporary material.
- Severe toothache
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swelling and/or tenderness
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What are some indications that root canal therapy may be needed?
Occasionally, no symptoms are present. Your dentist will be able to determine the necessity of root canal therapy at your comprehensive exam.
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Once I have root canal therapy, is that all I will need for that tooth?
Once your tooth has been treated with root canal therapy, that tooth is no longer vital. As such, you will be free from further infections or pain in that tooth, but it will also lose much of its strength and can be vulnerable to breaks, chips and fractures. Generally, your dentist will recommend that you protect that tooth with a full-coverage restoration such as a crown to increase the longevity of your tooth and increase your ability to function with it.
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Would it be more practical to extract the tooth, rather than have root canal therapy?
Removal used to be the only option for a tooth that had a diseased or injured pulp. However, extraction of your teeth should only be considered as a last resort and only in cases where the tooth is absolutely not restorable. Extractions can affect not only the bone and gum tissue in the area of the extraction, they can endanger the adjacent teeth and also cause your bite to change, as well as reducing your functionality in terms of chewing, speaking and keeping the areas of your mouth clean.
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How can I learn more about root canal therapy?
If you have questions about root canal therapy, please feel free to contact our office at
(603) 672-6546 or e-mail us at
info@ameridentnh.com
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