A root canal treats a tooth whose inner tissue (the pulp) has become infected or badly inflamed. The goal is to relieve pain and save the tooth rather than remove it.
Signs you may need one
- Severe or lingering pain with hot or cold
- Pain when you bite or press on the tooth
- A tooth that has darkened
- Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- Sometimes, no symptoms at all, and the problem is found on an x-ray
What happens
- We numb the tooth
- The infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped
- The space is filled and sealed
- A filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth, as a treated tooth can become brittle
Afterward
Some soreness for a few days is normal and usually responds to over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed. Most people feel much better than they did before treatment, since the source of the pain has been removed. If you have swelling, fever or pain that is getting worse, call us. We will talk through the alternative, which is extracting the tooth, so you can decide.