Root canal therapy is needed when a cavity has progressed well into the interior of the tooth. The infection can spread deep into the roots of the tooth, causing an abscess. If left untreated, an infection in the root canal of the tooth can cause swelling of the face and head, and even bone loss. The best solution is to save your tooth, and root canal therapy from our South San Jose dental office is an option that helps restore the natural tooth to its normal function and natural appearance so that tooth extraction doesn’t have to be an option.
Root Canal Therapy Basics
Your tooth is made up of a hard protective shell called enamel, a softer middle layer called dentin and a soft tissue inner layer called dental pulp. Composed of nerve tissue, lymph tissue and blood vessels, the dental pulp is considered a vital part of your tooth. If your dental pulp is severely damaged, the tooth begins to die. Root canal therapy is often the best treatment to prevent and eliminate infection, thus preventing tooth loss.
Signs you might need a root canal include:
- Minimal to severe pain
- Tooth discoloration
- Swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue
- Signs of infection visible on a radiograph
Root canal therapy allows dentists to save your teeth in the safest way possible and is used to find the cause and treat the problems of the dental pulp. The narrow channels beneath the pulp chamber in the inner part of your tooth are hollowed out and cleaned through root canal therapy and the roots are filled with materials that are designed to prevent pain and infection from recurring.
Call The Dental Dimensions Today
Our dentists in South San Jose provide root canal therapy to ensure a positive, gentle, tooth-saving experience for everyone. Remember, delaying treatment for an infected tooth may lead to serious consequences and make treatment more difficult. Keep up-to-date with your regular dental visits to maintain your best smile.
