Dr Meyers is trained to identify and assess when a root canal procedure is needed. She will evaluate the tooth and determine if a root canal is the proper treatment. Together, the decision will be made on how to proceed, and the steps necessary to ensure the best outcome.
Root canal therapy is a procedure used to save a tooth that has suffered a crack or excessive decay. This decay has reached the nerve of the tooth and is often accompanied by an infection. A tooth that requires root canal treatment can often cause incredible pain. If left untreated, the infection can progress to an abcess and cause severe health issues. A root canal will alleviate pain and discomfort, and provide an opportunity to save the tooth before the decay and damage require more drastic measures, including extraction.
A root canal procedure removes the decayed tissue from a damaged tooth. Once the decayed tissue is removed, the tooth is cleaned, filled and sealed. Although the tooth will no longer have sensations of hot and cold, the tooth will still be able to function normally. The pulp is the softer spongy material within the tooth. Infections and bacteria multiply and spread within the pulp. Removing the affected pulp and nerve removes the infected area and alleviates pain and discomfort from the damage tooth. This allows for a long term solution to save the tooth.
The length of a procedure can vary based on which tooth is affected. The closer the tooth is to the front of your mouth, the shorter amount of time the root canal generally takes. Upper molars will take longer than canines or incisors.
Even though the pain and discomfort leading up to the root canal can be severe, it is important to remember that the root canal procedure is not.