Tooth pain causes significant anxiety for many people. Beyond worrying about what to do about it and how much the treatment will cost, most people dread an invasive procedure. Others worry about the need to have the tooth extracted and having a gap.
However, advancements in dentistry have improved the process. If you have a sore tooth, it could be due to decay. At Dental Care of Rosewood, we can fix tooth decay with a simple root canal treatment. Schedule a consultation with our team today in Columbia, SC.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment is a dental procedure your endodontist performs to treat infected tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth. It consists of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerve fibers. It’s highly painful when it’s damaged or infected.
With root canal treatment, dentists no longer need to completely extract a tooth with infected pulp. With this procedure, your dentist can restore your oral health without disrupting natural tooth structures.
The Root Canal Treatment Process
During the root canal treatment, doctors apply local anesthesia to the affected tooth before drilling a small hole into the top. Next, they will carefully remove the decayed or damaged tooth pulp through the hole.
After removing the damaged pulp, doctors will use special instruments to clean and sterilize the inside of the tooth before filling up the now-empty space with gutta-percha. They will also fix chips or cracks in the tooth.
A quality root canal treatment will eliminate the risk of future infections in the same tooth.
Who Is a Candidate for a Root Canal?
You’re a candidate for a root canal if you experience any of the following:
Lingering Pain
If you feel pain when you eat or put pressure on a part of your teeth, you most likely have an infection. If the area hurts even without pressure or long after you’ve stopped applying pressure to the area, you should see your dentist quickly.
Hot or Cold Sensitivity
Do you feel very uncomfortable when you eat cold or hot foods? This is a good sign of decay in the underlying nerves. This is especially true for pain or sensitivity that lingers even after eating.
Gum Swelling
Do you have swollen gums? If you can feel bumps around parts of your gum where you experience pain, you should see a dentist for an inspection to confirm if you need a root canal.
Tooth Darkening
A tooth that looks dark signifies an infection. If the tooth appears gray compared to the surrounding teeth, it often signifies the onset of decay.
Oral Health Care After a Root Canal
Some tips you can follow after a root canal treatment include:
- Keeping up with your dental appointments
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Flossing every day
- Taking a dental x-ray of the root canal at least once a year to spot any problems with the root canal
Book Your Appointment Today
Don’t fret over that decaying tooth. Our dentists are waiting to fix it.
Call Dental Care of Rosewood at 803-680-9080 to schedule your root canal treatment today in Columbia, SC.