If you have a tooth that is badly in need of a root canal treatment, don’t keep putting it off because you are worried that it might be painful. In fact, remember that the goal of a root canal is to relieve you of pain! These days a root canal can be viewed as similar to receiving a dental filling, and can usually be done in one or two visits.
At DeMercy Dental, our root canal treatment can help you experience extensive relief in Roswell, Georgia, from the following symptoms:
- Your tooth hurts when you bite down or chew food.
- A tooth that hurts when hot or cold food or drinks touch it and long after.
- A persistent toothache that is increasingly painful.
What’s inside Your Tooth?
To get an idea of what the tooth consists of, let’s take a look inside. First, you will find a layer of strong tooth enamel. Beneath that lies a material called dentin which is slightly softer. Under the dentin is the tooth pulp which consists of nerves, connective tissue and blood vessels providing nourishment to the tooth.
Now, the interesting thing is that while a tooth is growing it needs the pulp to supply blood and nourishment to keep it healthy. But once a tooth has grown, it no longer requires the pulp, as the tooth is nourished by the surrounding tissues. This means that we can safely remove an infected tooth pulp without harming your smile.
Root Canal Procedure
To perform a root canal, our dentist will remove the infected tooth pulp. Next, the affected area will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prepare for the placement of gutta-percha.
Gutta-percha is a rubberlike material which used to seal and protect the hole left behind after the pulp is cleaned out. Then, a dental filling material will be placed over the gutta-percha. Finally, if the area is too big, or if too much of the tooth required removal, then a crown may be placed instead of a filling.
Root Canal Trivia
–More than 15 million root canals are done each year for infected teeth, which breaks down to about 41,00 root canals every day. So as you can see, if you need a root canal, you are not alone!
–While some people find the idea of having a tooth extracted better than having a root canal, think again. It is usually better to save a tooth. When a tooth is extracted, the missing gap allows the surrounding teeth to shift which can cause misalignment. In addition, your own natural tooth is less invasive and less costly than placing an artificial tooth.
Dr. Jeff DeMercy and Dr. Amanda Kossick and our team at DeMercy Dental want to give you the best possible dental experience when you visit our practice. Please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns about your smile at 770-641-8010. We look forward to saving your tooth and bringing back your beautiful smile!