The very idea of a root canal can make your anxiety skyrocket and make you wonder what you have in store for your future if you’re a candidate for the procedure. On average, 17 million teeth in a single year are restored and saved using the procedure.

A root canal removes any diseased pulp on the inside of the tooth and then a dentist fills the roots with nickel titanium after hollowing it out. To prevent the tooth from needing to get pulled due to damage to the sensitive dental pulp, which consists of lymph tissue and blood vessels along with nerve tissue, a root canal may be in order. A root canal requires all of this debris on the inside of the tooth to be completely removed, including the infection and bacteria, so it can be cleaned and shaped.

Look for signs and symptoms that may indicate you’re a candidate for a root canal such as pain ranging in severity from minimal to severe, discoloration of the tooth and swelling or irritation of the gum tissue surrounding that specific tooth. The pain can be incredibly painful due to failed attempts at restoration such as fillings, which actually allow additional bacteria to get into the sensitive area. Other problems, such as a chip or crack in a tooth due to injury, may also require you to get a root canal performed.

If a root canal is unable to be successfully performed to save the tooth from extraction and you don’t want to be left with a gap in your mouth, you may be able to get a dental bridge or dental implant so no one else is able to notice the change in your smile. If you suspect that you may have a dental issue that currently requires a root canal or may need one in the close future, it’s best to get it evaluated as soon as possible to minimize the damage and make your best effort to save the tooth.

Tags: Dental Bridge, Dental Implant, Family Dentist, Manus Dental, Restorative Dentistry, Root Canal