Getting To The “Root” Of The Issue
We are passionate about helping our patients achieve optimal oral health. This is the reason we encourage patients to visit our office for routine hygiene examination appointments and recommend patients schedule their treatments as soon as possible. Dental problems, such as decay, do not heal on their own. They will continue to progress until a more involved treatment is required. One treatment we may recommend when the decay has made its way into the tooth root is root canal therapy. Unfortunately, root canal therapy has gotten a bad rap over the years when, in fact, it is a treatment that can save your tooth. Read on to learn more.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
When tooth decay first starts, it affects the tooth enamel, which is the outer covering of the tooth. When we leave decay untreated, it will continue to grow and eventually spread to the inside of the tooth. Eventually, the decay will cause inflammation and infection in the tooth root. At this point, we will recommend a root canal.
A root canal is the process of removing infected nerve tissue from the inside of the tooth. The root is then cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed. If a root canal is not received when recommended, the last step to eliminate the infection is to remove the entire tooth, including the tooth root.
Signs that Indicate a Problem
If it has been some time since you last visited our office and you are concerned you may be experiencing a complication with your oral health, it is important to be mindful of the signs from your teeth and mouth. If you are between appointments and begin experiencing any of the following symptoms, we recommend visiting our office as soon as possible:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Extreme discomfort
- Swollen and tender gums
- Cracked or chipped teeth
If you experience any of the signs mentioned above or it has been some time since your last visit to our office, which is located in The Woodlands, TX, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment. We can perform a thorough examination and determine if you need treatment. We hope to see you soon!
