Root Canal Therapy Saves Teeth from Extraction
Root canal therapy involves the removal of infected tissue, or pulp, contained deep within the root of a tooth. When infected, this tissue becomes dangerous to surrounding tissues, and if left untreated, will eventually cause tooth loss. Dr. Robert J. Matlach can help save your tooth by performing root canal therapy to efficiently remove diseased tissues and decay, and preserve the healthy outer structure of your tooth. He can also place a crown over your tooth to protect and strengthen it following treatment. To learn more about root canal therapy, contact Dr. Matlach's Huntington office today.
How Root Canal Therapy is Performed
During root canal therapy, Dr. Matlach must access the inner cavity of your tooth's root. To do so, he will drill a small hole in your tooth near the gum line. Usually, any pain or discomfort you feel is mitigated with local anesthesia. Through this hole, he suctions out diseased and decayed tissues and cleans the inner cavity. Next, he uses a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha to fill the root canals of the tooth.
After root canal therapy, your tooth is weakened. In many cases, Dr. Matlach will cap your tooth with a dental crown. A crown fits snugly around your entire tooth. It strengthens and protects your tooth from breaking or chipping, and restores your oral function. Your crowns are designed to fit comfortably within your natural bite. They are matched in size, shape, and color to your adjacent teeth, so they look seamless within your smile. This restoration can maintain the appearance your smile while providing the protection you require.
Why is Root Canal Therapy Important?
Left untreated, infected pulp tissue spreads to surrounding tissues, causing decay, gum disease, and bone loss. Root canal therapy is preferable to a simple tooth extraction because it allows you to keep your natural tooth, though it is weakened. While the pulp itself contains connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves, it is not essential to the function of your tooth.
Infected pulp causes a variety of symptoms, including:
- Pain or tenderness in the gum or tooth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Facial swelling
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Darkening of a tooth
What Causes Pulp Infection?
Bacteria that cause infection can reach the pulp of the tooth through a chip or crack, a cavity caused by tooth decay, or loosened dental restorations. This is why it is important to have these dental problems addressed immediately; doing so greatly reduces your chances of developing a root canal infection.
Good dental hygiene is the most important step you can take to avoid the need for root canal therapy. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss to help stave off bacterial buildup that leads to cavities and eventually decay. Additionally, reducing your intake of foods high in sugar, which bacterial plaque feeds off of, can reduce your chances for cavity as well.
To learn more about Dr. Matlach and the many general restorative procedures he provides, contact us today.