Root Canal: The Dental Procedure that Gets a Bad Rap
Do you hear the term root canal and start shaking in your boots? Thanks to cartoons, movies, and people’s imaginations, root canals have gotten a bad rap over the years. While root canals are something that many people should try to avoid, they do not deserve the reputation that they receive. Root canals can help save your tooth and eliminate the need for a more in depth procedure such as an implant.
What is a Root Canal?
In the movie, Shrek, the character Donkey compares ogres to onions in that they have layers. Teeth also have layers like an onion. After looking at the layers of a tooth, the very inside of the tooth is the pulp. A root canal is a form of endodontic treatment that treats the inside of a tooth where the pulp is located. The pulp extends from the tip of the tooth, near the crown, to the very bottom of the tooth, near the roots, and sometimes can become infected. A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the root, and seals it.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal?
Root canals are more popular than you might realize, with millions of patients needing the procedure in America each year. A visit to our office is the only true way to check the status of your teeth, but if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we suggest calling the office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible:
- Severe discomfort while chewing
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Deep tooth decay that can no longer be filled
- Swollen or tender gums
- Lingering teeth sensitivity to cold and hot
Please don’t postpone treatment for a tooth that is causing you discomfort. If an infected tooth is left untreated, it will not heal on its own and will cause more damage to your jaw and body over time. If you have not visited our office located in Terre Haute, IN recently or are feeling any tooth discomfort, please call us today to schedule your next appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!
