Many people’s first thought when they think of a root canal is pain, but really they should think of pain relief. There is a common misconception that root canal therapy will hurt when in reality it’s just like getting a routine filling. When you don’t get the treatment when you need it, that’s when real discomfort and problems can arise. At Bobcat Dental in Celina, TX, we provide gentle root canals that restore damaged teeth to a healthy state again.
Let’s get down to the root of the matter — seriously! Down inside each tooth are root canals where there is soft tissue called the pulp. This pulp is made up of nerves, tissue, and blood vessels. Whenever that pulp gets infected or becomes inflamed, it may require root canal therapy. Otherwise, the infection can become even more painful, lead to a more serious infection called an abscess, or even result in you losing that tooth.
So how does pulp get infected? Well, it depends on the patient. Deep decay; a cracked, broken, or injured tooth; large fillings; mouth trauma; and repeat procedures on the same tooth are all common causes. If you start experiencing pain (it could be mild to severe), have sensitivity to hot or cold, or notice your gums are tender or swollen, then we recommend you see a dental professional for evaluation.
At Bobcat Dental, we’ll take X-rays to get a better picture of the extent of your infection. To begin the actual root canal treatment procedure, we’ll apply local anesthetic to the area to ensure you don’t experience discomfort. Then, we’ll clean out any decayed pulp from the inside of your teeth. Once that has all been removed, we’ll fill and seal the tooth. For some cases, we may place a restoration like a filling or dental crown for additional support. That’s it!
