Dr. Jennifer DeCota, D.D.S.
(636) 349-2400
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Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with a dental material, and then restored to full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling a tooth) will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Reasons for Root Canal Therapy:
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
- Injury or trauma to the tooth
Signs and Symptoms for possible Root Canal Therapy:
- An abcess (or pimple) on the gums.
- Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Swelling and/or tenderness.
- Sometimes no symptoms are present.
What does root canal therapy involve?
After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed. Usually a crown is needed to protect a root canaled tooth from breaking.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.