Root Canals & Crowns

A Root Canal Could Be Crucial to Your Health

The health of your teeth influences your overall health. When a tooth becomes infected, it puts you at risk for bone loss and even heart disease. A root canal treatment could be a necessary step, not only in saving your tooth but possibly saving your life.

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Understanding Root Canals

When a cavity becomes particularly severe, it causes the tissue inside the tooth (called the pulp or the nerve) to become infected. This infection can easily spread to your blood and cause significant complications, so it needs to be treated as soon as possible. The treatment is called a root canal.

The dentist begins a root canal procedure by applying some local anesthetic to the area around the tooth. Then the dentist will drill through the tooth to the pulp. The dentist will then remove the infected pulp and drill away any remaining parts of the tooth that are infected. With all the infection eliminated, the dentist will clean out the remaining chamber inside your tooth.

Next, the dentist will fill the empty space inside the tooth, giving it additional structure. At this point, your tooth will be solid again. However, it will no longer look and feel like a natural tooth. You will most likely need to come back to have a crown fitted over the tooth.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

The only way to determine whether you need a root canal or not is to have your teeth examined by your dentist on a regular basis. It’s not uncommon for a severe tooth infection to develop without any noticeable symptoms, which is why it is so important to see your dentist twice a year.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need a root canal.

• A tooth is sensitive to pressure
• A tooth is sensitive to hot or cold
• There is a pimple-like bump on the gums
• A tooth seems to get darker
• The gums around a sensitive tooth are tender or swollen

Crowns

Crowns are small dental devices designed to look like real teeth. These devices help restore the natural feel and function to a tooth after it has undergone some kind of procedure.

For a crown to be placed, a natural tooth must first be prepared; changing its size and shape until it becomes small and cylindrical. With the natural tooth prepared, the crown slips over top, covering the natural tooth to the gumline. The crown is then cemented into place, giving it strength and stability.