A root canal is one of the most feared dental office procedures around. If you neglect your teeth through lack of adequate brushing, flossing, and regular dental check up, your next visit to the dentist might be for one or more root canals. Dr. Quigless practices general dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry and is able to perform root canals, which is technically known as endodontic therapy. Root canals are not the painful procedures our parents and grandparents endured.
Technically, the root canal is the space through which the tooth pulp containing the nerves and blood vessels that enervate and feed to tooth as it grows. When decay is allowed unchecked, this part of the tooth may be compromised and the tooth pulp may become infected.
Some of the signs and symptoms of infected tooth pulp include:
- Severe toothache
- Abscessed gums near the infected tooth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold liquids
Once the tooth erupts from your gums, the nerves and blood vessels are no longer necessary for proper tooth function, they merely provide sensory input for the tooth. The endodontic procedure to correct infected root canals essentially removes the tooth pulp and fills in the now empty chamber.
Once the tooth pulp is removed, a porcelain crown is used to cap the tooth permanently and protect it from future damage.
To find out more about root canals and other dental procedures, please contact St. Louis cosmetic dentist Dr. Quigless to schedule an initial consultation.
<< Home