Bismarck Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy

 

Root Canal Therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay causing a communication of the infected tissue with, the body or by trauma to the tooth that causes the nerve area inside the tooth to die leaving the dead nerve tissue to infect the body. In order to save the tooth the pulp (the tissue inside the tooth canal), nerve, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the remaining space is filled with a special, hypoallergenic material to restore the tooth to full function.

 

Having a Root Canal done on a tooth can be the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed.

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Signs you may need Root Canal Therapy:

 

*An abscess on the gums

*Sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers

*Severe toothache

*Swelling and/Tenderness

*Sometimes when a nerve has died from trauma or over a long period of time there can be no symptoms

 

Reasons for Root Canal Therapy:

 

*Decay has reached the tooth’s nerve

*Infection or an abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip

*Injury or trauma to the tooth

 

Root Canal Therapy can usually be completed in 1 visit but sometimes will require placement of medication that needs to rest for a few days before the treatment is completed. After your Root Canal is complete your tooth may be slightly sensitive but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the body heals the infection.

 

In some cases a tooth will need a Crown to be placed after a Root Canal is complete to protect the tooth from breaking.