Root Canal in Norwalk
Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. This tissue houses blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue of each tooth. A root canal is a procedure specifically designed to save you from losing a tooth. When certain occurrences happen to the tooth bacteria enters the pulp and this area becomes inflamed or infected, immediate action must be taken in order to save that tooth. Pulp infection and inflammation most often occur if you have:
- a cracked or chipped tooth
- a deep cavity or filling
- other serious injury to the tooth
How Do I Know if I Might Need a Root Canal?
When your pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you will begin to feel symptoms that prompt you to take action. If you have any of the symptoms listed below call our office immediately as you may in fact need a root canal.
Toothache-These are pretty common, but certain toothaches point to the possibility of an inflamed/infected pulp. If you experience sharp pain in the middle of the night that leads into a generalized headache, then your tooth’s root may be suffering.
Abscess-If you see a bump near the top part of a tooth and/or pus present in the mouth, then there’s a good chance a root canal will be required.
Sensitivity-Extreme pain to hot and cold foods is a good indicator.
Discoloration-Dark discoloration on the tooth points to a deteriorated pulp. This is a severe sign.
Don't Wait Around
Masking the pain using anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen will only worsen your problem. If you notice a reoccurring pain that doesn’t seem to get away, then contact our dentist immediately. It is always better to save a tooth than to have it extracted and replaced. Nothing beats real enamel and we try to preserve it as best as possible.
The Procedure
If we suspect a tooth’s root is in danger, then you will undergo an x-ray to help confirm the diagnosis. Root canals are often a two-appointment procedure, with the first appointment involving the dentist removing the infected pulp of the tooth. Our dentists use highly specialized instruments to remove the infected pulp that are designed specifically for this procedure. Once the infection and any other bacteria or debris have been removed, the dentist will thoroughly clean out the canals of the tooth then seal the area off with a specialized resin material. The resin material is hardened with a special curing light, and any further infection or decay will not be allowed to enter the tooth. The second appointment is for a dental crown since most of your tooth with be lost during the process and must be capped with a crown to restore the tooth’s function and appearance. The crown will be created based off impressions or 3-D renderings that have been created. Once the root canal has finished, you will have a restored tooth, and with the proper dental care and hygiene can last for many years.
Feel free to call our office at 562-863-5701 to learn more about the root canal procedure or any other services we provide. We will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
