Root canals are a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged pulp tissue from your tooth, and then seals the root of your tooth to prevent further infection. It is a relatively painless and efficient treatment that can often be completed in one or two visits.
The pulp, or soft tissue inside of a tooth, is the area that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. Without this tissue, your tooth cannot survive. The pulp also provides a safe harbor for bacteria, which can eventually lead to an infection in your tooth and surrounding gums or bone.
Infection and inflammation of the root canals Hot Springs pulp can lead to a lot of discomfort. Depending on the severity of the problem, you might have to face a variety of symptoms including pain, swelling, and a bad taste in your mouth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of your tooth or even into your sinuses and lungs, potentially affecting your overall health.
Symptoms that your dentist may notice while examining you include a dull, constant pain that is worse when eating, biting or chewing. If this pain is severe, you may have an abscess, which can be very dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
Some people may think that a root canals Hot Springs is painful, but it is in fact quite painless and the procedure is typically administered with local anesthesia. There may be a little pain in the days or weeks after your treatment, but this should be manageable with over-the-counter analgesics.
Your dentist will numb your tooth with an antiseptic to reduce any discomfort you may experience while having the root canal performed. The procedure is then performed by carefully drilling into the tooth, removing the infected pulp and cleaning out all of the remnants of the infection from the tooth.
Once the infected pulp has been removed and the interior of your tooth is completely cleaned out, your dentist will place a filling to prevent the infection from returning. This filling can erode over time, but your dentist will be able to advise you on how to keep this at bay.
It is important to note that you will be asked to come back for an appointment after the treatment has been done, to ensure that your tooth has completely healed. It is also important to ensure that there are no hairline cracks in your teeth, as these can allow bacterial growth and allow the infection to return.
The best way to decide whether a root canal is right for you is to discuss your situation with your dentist and weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option. You can then make a decision that will be best for you and your tooth.
