Though teeth are made of tough enamel on the outside, there is a chamber inside every tooth filled with soft tissue called the “pulp.” Endodontics is one of the dental specialties that treat the thin strands of this dental pulp extending through the root of the tooth that pass through nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue from beneath the tooth into the inner chamber.
When this soft tissue area or nerve becomes damaged, bacteria may grow rapidly unknown to the patient leaving the tooth subject to infection or injury. These infections, known as abscesses, without endodontic treatment, could cause the tooth to die or result in extreme decay.
Throbbing oral pain, odd discoloration of the tooth and surrounding area, or extreme sensitivity to hot or cold fluid could be serious indications of oral trauma that may require root canal therapy. Relax. You are probably in enough discomfort already. Our dentists here in Houston, will provide you with the treatment you need to assure that these infections could even spread to the jawbone and rot the cavity that holds the tooth in position requiring oral surgery.
When treatment is necessary, the pulp will be removed and a replacement crown made. The procedure may require multiple visits performed under anesthesia. An opening may be drilled into the tooth’s crown and pulp chamber, diseased pulp removed, and the nerve canal reshaped. Then the tooth is permanently sealed with a gold, porcelain, or tooth-colored enamel.
Do I really need a root canal?
If you are a candidate for treatment or if you are in need of an emergency dentist, you will be quickly scheduled for a dental operation, where the affected pulp of the root canal is cleaned out, disinfected, and the opening in the tooth sealed. If you feel like you are a candidate for root canals, please contact us today.
