A root canal procedure treats an infection that has penetrated into the area of a tooth where the nerve and the blood supply reside. Before the invention of root canal therapy, a tooth with a diseased nerve would need to be pulled. Now, root canals can allow you to retain your natural teeth for as long as possible.
A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory – to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of your tooth.
Why a root canal?
When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can injure your jawbones, as well as be detrimental to your overall health. Without the proper treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.
If you experience sensitivity to hot or cold or have a cracked tooth, a tooth that has experience trauma, or infection of a tooth from a large cavity, you may need a root canal.
Root Canal Treatment at Rewards Dental
A root canal at Rewards Dental is a relatively simple procedure involving one to three visits to our Burien, Redmond, or Kent dental office. One of our dentists will expose the area of the tooth where the bloody supply and nerves are and then remove them. The dentist then fills that area with a synthetic material to prevent any other harmful bacteria from entering the tooth. During your follow up appointment, we will ensure the initial infection is healing properly and restore the tooth with a crown or filling if needed.