If you are suffering from tooth pain, it may be due to a bacterial infection that has reached the pulp and root within. When this happens, the most common solution is what is known as a root canal. People may be familiar with these due to their (rather unfair) depictions in media, but have never thought much about them.
Today, your Livonia, MI dentist explains how this procedure operates, and whether it might be a fit for you!
How Did We Get Here?
If you are in need of a root canal, it can be due to a few different reasons. But essentially, the cause of all these situations is the bacterial infection of the root of the tooth. The root is the fleshy part within the hard exterior, and it is connected to the rest of your circulatory system.
This infection is often caused by the progress of tooth decay within the mouth. Bacteria can develop in hard to reach areas, such as between the teeth. When these colonies build, they secrete highly acidic waste that can eat through your enamel.
By growing then within the tooth itself, it can cause serious pain. Beyond that, we want to remove the infection from its protected spot alongside your circulatory system. And as early as this is removed, the less natural material we will have to remove.
What Now?
The main objective of a root canal is to perform what is called a pulpectomy. During this procedure, the dentist fully removes the pulp and root matter from within the tooth. This essentially renders that tooth to be dead. But unlike with extractions, your body still believes there to be a healthy tooth in place.
This helps with the preservation of your jawbone. With a loss to the jaw, the body reabsorbs biological material in order to best protect the rest of the body. And it is also great to be able to save the tooth as a functional part of your body.
Once the pulp has been removed, the connections to the jaw are sealed with a rubbery material named gutta-percha. Most likely, you will need a dental crown in order to reinforce the stability, and provide a great surface for daily use.
There is a mild recovery time afterward, but usually no longer than a week. You will want to start off with a soft diet, and introduce more difficult foods as you begin to feel more comfortable. This period can include tooth sensitivity. If any symptoms last longer than this, however, make sure to speak with a trained oral health professional.
ABOUT YOUR LIVONIA, MI, DENTIST:
James Stewart, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, MI, as well as Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Redford, and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.