Root Canal Therapy Can Save a Tooth

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the dentist removes the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, cleans the tooth, and fills it with a medicated material. We then cap the tooth with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in one or two visits. Although these treatments are notorious for being painful, our team works hard to ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed throughout your entire treatment.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and 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 can be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth may have to be retreated due to new infections.

Signs and symptoms that root canal therapy is needed:

• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Severe toothache pain.
• Sometimes no symptoms are present.
• Swelling and/or tenderness.

Reasons for root canal therapy:

• Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
• Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
• Injury or trauma to the tooth.

To learn more about root canal treatment, we welcome you to contact Grand Dental Center today at 218-326-0339. We are committed to restoring your smile’s health.

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