Root Canal in Melbourne & Palm Bay, FL
Root canal therapy is treatment used to repair and save a tooth that has become infected due to a deep cavity or cracked tooth. The treatment involves removing the pulp and the nerves of the tooth, and cleaning the infected area. A tooth's pulp and nerve is not important to a tooth's health and function once the tooth has fully emerged from the gums. Once started, the infection typically speads to the surrounding bone. This produces the pus, swelling, and pain typically associated with dental abcess. Untreated, the infection can so damage the surrounding bone that the tooth must be removed. Systemic spread of the dental infections can damage other parts of you body, particulary the coronary arteries of your heart. Death from brain or chest infections may occur from untreated dental abcesses.
What are the signs that a root canal is needed?
- Severe tooth pain while chewing
- Your tooth pain wakes you up at night
- Teeth that are highly sensitive to hot or cold, with the sensitivity lingering for some time.
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
- Swollen gums in the area of the infected tooth
What does the treatment involve?
First, an opening is made into the pump chamber through the top of the tooth.. Once the pulp is removed, the root canal is thoroughly cleaned. Typically the procedure can be completed in a single visit. There is typically no discomfort during the procedure. Residual discomfort (usually greatly diminished) may persist a day or so if the infection had already spread to the surrounding bone. It may take a day or two for antibiotics to supress the bony infection once the dental source is eliminated.
