Learning that you need a root canal doesn’t seem like good news to most people. But catching a problem inside your tooth means it will get the treatment it needs, ending your pain and preserving the tooth. An endodontist specialist performs root canals to save infected, damaged, or diseased teeth.
Your teeth have several layers - the outer enamel, the hard dentin underneath, and the inner pulp, which contains nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. If damage, infection, or inflammation penetrates the inner pulp, the tooth is at risk.
An endodontist specialist may perform a root canal in these situations:
- Deep tooth decay
- Fractures, large chips, or cracks
- Disease or infection in the inner pulp
Signs that you might need a root canal include tooth pain when biting down, sensitivity to hot and cold, tooth darkening, tenderness or swelling in the gums, or a pimple-like bump on your gums.
In the root canal procedure, the endodontist removes the infected tooth pulp and seals the area. A dental crown protects the tooth and completes the restoration.
If you’re concerned about a tooth, call your dentist or endodontist specialist right away for a dental exam. Root canals are highly successful, common procedures that can put an end to your pain or sensitivity and restore your tooth.