Endodontic Therapy
A root canal is a common dental procedure designed to save your natural teeth and avoid the need for implants or bridges. The dental pulp, or tooth nerve, is located at the center of each tooth. When this pulp becomes infected—often due to trauma, deep cavities, tooth cracks, or multiple dental procedures—it can cause significant pain.
If you're experiencing a painful toothache, it's important to contact our dental office as soon as possible. An untreated infection can lead to more serious issues. For prompt and comfortable emergency care, call our Sun City West office at 623-544-0700.
Purpose
The nerve of a tooth primarily provides sensitivity to hot and cold, but it is not essential for the tooth's overall health and function.
When a tooth has a large cavity or is cracked, bacteria can infiltrate the dental pulp and lead to an infection. If left untreated, this infection can cause an abscess, resulting in pain, swelling, and further damage to the tooth. Beyond affecting your jawbone and surrounding teeth, an untreated infection can also pose risks to your overall health.
Symptoms
Teeth requiring root canal therapy may not always be painful, but typical signs of an infected pulp include pain when biting, noticeable swelling, visible damage or decay, sensitivity to temperature, persistent or spontaneous pain, tooth discoloration, discomfort that disrupts your sleep, or tenderness in the surrounding gums.
Treatment
Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia, during which the dentist removes the diseased nerve from the tooth. Once the infected tissue is cleaned out, the tooth is sealed and reinforced with a white filling material. To further protect the tooth and prevent future breakage, a crown is usually placed over the filling. Although many teeth can be saved with root canal therapy, some may need to be extracted if the treatment is unlikely to succeed or if complications arise during or after the procedure.
