A root canal is necessary to save a tooth when it is badly decayed or infected and also prevents the need for implants or bridges.
If a root canal procedure is not done at this point, the infection can become worse and cause an abscessed tooth.
During the procedure, the damaged pulp, (which is the soft inner tissue of the tooth and also connected to the nerves at the bottom of the tooth), and nerve tissue are removed and then the tooth is sealed.
Common symptoms to look for signs of an infected tooth include:
Severe toothache when chewing or biting.
Swelling of the gums, face, neck or head.
Continued sensitivity or pain to hot or cold temperatures.
A root canal procedure requires one or more office visits, and you can drive home after your treatment because we use a local anesthetic to eliminate any discomfort.
You should take care to minimize chewing on the affected tooth until completely finished with the procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) are usually sufficient. Most patients can return to their normal activities the next day.
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