Root Canals

What’s a root canal? 

A root canal procedure is the last option to remove an infection in your dental pulp, which is the innermost chamber in your tooth. The pulp chamber has nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. If this area becomes infected, your dentist performs a root canal because you’re at risk of losing your tooth.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

There are a variety of symptoms you may experience, such as:

• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Swollen or tender gums
• Pain while chewing 
• Bitter taste in your mouth
• Pain around a specific tooth
• Pus coming from around your tooth
• Darkening color of your tooth
• Swelling in your jaw

To determine if a root canal is necessary Brite Smiles Dental Care’s staff recommends you have an exam with Dr. Simmons or Dr. Edstrom if you have any of the above symptoms.   

What can I expect during the root canal treatment? 

We take great care to deliver as comfortable and pain-free dental care as possible. The dentist removes the infected tissue and cleans the canal.  

Afterward, the dentist fills the space with a dental sealant to prevent tooth decay. Depending on the damage of your tooth, the dentist may restore it using a crown, filling, or an inlay. 

Your root canal procedure can 90 minutes. By caring for your restored tooth and practicing proper dental hygiene habits, it can last a lifetime.

How did my teeth become infected? 

An infection can enter your teeth due to poor dental hygiene, which leads to gum disease and tooth decay. Other common causes of an infected tooth include:

• A dental injury
• Several procedures on the same tooth
• Chip or crack in your tooth

If the infection with your tooth continues it can cause a variety of problems such as widespread infection to other parts of your body, bone loss and the loss of your tooth. A root canal procedure is a fast and painless way to save your tooth. Contact the dental team at Brite Smiles Dental Care or book your appointment online today.