Wonder what it is? A root canal of course. Root canals seem to be feared by all, but if you need one you do not want to avoid it. The reason is that root canal therapy is necessary when your tooth pulp is infected. If the infection is left untreated, not only will it be terribly painful, but the infection can spread or cause abscesses. You can end up having a real mess on your hands, one that a simple root canal will no longer fix. You will need extraction, then a bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth, or teeth. When it comes to root canal therapy, don’t avoid it, it really is not that bad.
Some Facts about Root Canals
Fact: Root canals are believed by many to be one of the most painful dental procedures, but they are actually not much more involved than placing a filling. Studies indicate that people who have had a root canal rate them as painless compared to people who have never had one.
Fact: Root canals are required when tooth decay is so extreme it reaches the pulp of the tooth. The pulp of your tooth is living tissue, blood vessels, and arteries, and can become irritated, inflamed, or infected. Your dentist will try antibiotic treatment but if that fails, a root canal will be necessary.
Fact: Not much different than a filling, a root canal consists of the following steps:
- The tooth decay is removed.
- The infected, irritated, or otherwise damaged pulp is removed from the “root canals” (there can be up to four).
- The inside of the canals are disinfected.
- The canals are then filled with gutta percha, a thick, putty-like material, in place of the pulp.
- The remaining tooth is either filled or topped with a crown.
ABOUT YOUR ANKENY, IA DENTIST:
Dr. Peddicord offers a complete range of preventative, cosmetic, and restorative dental procedures as well as high quality dental prosthetics. Dr. Peddicord can answer your inquiries, and provide the services you need to maintain the health, beauty, and function of your teeth. To schedule an appointment at Peddicord Family Dentistry, please contact us at 515-963-3339. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office proudly provides general and cosmetic dentistry services to patients from Bondurant, Polk City, Elkhart, Alleman, and Cambridge.