Cosmetic DentistryDental CareGeneral DentistryMan wonders what is a root canal and can it help?

As you feel the first pains of a cavity, you probably start dreading your next dental visit. But the dentist offers multiple ways to save a decayed or damaged tooth. One method is a root canal. But what is a root canal and how will it help you?

What is a Root Canal and How Will It Help You?

So what is a root canal? This common dental procedure helps save a decaying or damaged tooth.

Your dentist uses this treatment when tooth decay has gone through the enamel and dentin, into the inner material of your tooth called the pulp. When your tooth has an abscess because of tooth decay infection, root canal therapy possibly helps, too. Sometimes trauma exposes the tooth nerve, or aging may lead to the need for root canal treatment.

Regardless of the reason why your dentist believes you need a root canal, having this important option for treatment plays a big role in maintaining a complete, healthy smile.

How is a Root Canal Performed?

So concerning how your dentist performs the therapy, what is a root canal? Your treatment takes one or two visits, in most cases. Before you go through the procedure, your dentist talks to you about what to expect. Sometimes you need to use antibiotics before your procedure.

As your treatment begins, you receive local anesthesia before or after your dental team takes some x-rays of your tooth. The anesthesia numbs the tooth and areas around it. X-rays help the dentist best perform the procedure, almost like a road map to your tooth’s problem area. You will feel no pain during the visit.

After preparing and disinfecting your tooth for the root canal, your dentist begins. He starts by drilling a small hole in the damaged tooth. This hole provides access to the pulp chamber where your nerve is located. The dentist then removes your tooth nerve and infected tissue.

When your dentist completes all of this work, he dries and seals the inside of the tooth with a rubber material. He closes the cavity using a temporary filling or a permanent one using the best choice of materials for your needs. If your tooth needs extra support for strength, a crown provides this support.

There is one thing that surprises most people who ask about root canals. That is, you feel no pain during the procedure and little afterward. Your dentist helps you understand the best means of preventing and treating post-therapy discomfort. Much of this involves eating soft foods for a few days and using an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Dental Restoration and Root Canal Therapy in Orlando

In Orlando, Florida, you have access to quality dental care. This care includes a variety of dental services, such as:

For your best dental health in Orlando, build a relationship with a dentist you can trust. Call the dental office of S. Keith Mahan, DDS now at 407-841-7241 for your first visit and to learn more about your dental health as well as “What is a root canal?”