How can root canal therapy save my tooth?

Does the phrase “root canal” make you nervous? You’re not alone – root canals get a bad reputation for being invasive and painful. However, root canal therapy actually helps prevent greater pain and complications. It is a safe and effective treatment that doesn’t have to be scary!

How does it work?

Root canal therapy is a way to treat decay deep inside a tooth. Every tooth contains a pulp chamber and root canals filled with dental pulp, which is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and specialized cells. If the pulp becomes infected or damaged, root canal therapy is the only way to treat it. 

The dentist will access the pulp chamber using a drill and remove the pulp inside the root canals using a long, thin instrument. After removing the pulp, the dentist will flush out the affected area with a cleaning agent to disinfect the root canals and kill any remaining bacteria. The hollow pulp chamber and root canals are then filled with a soft, rubbery material and carefully resealed to prevent further damage.

Why is root canal therapy important?

If infected dental pulp is left untreated, the infection can spread and form painful, pus-filled areas called abscesses under the teeth and gums. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body and cause further complications. Since infected dental pulp cannot heal on its own, root canal therapy is the only way to prevent this from happening. It is also less expensive than replacing the infected tooth with an implant. 

Root canal therapy can be intimidating, but we want to make your experience as stress-free as possible! If you have any questions or concerns about our root canal procedures, please give us a call at (801) 334-9444, or stop by our office today!