Root Canal Therapy in Deerfield, IL
While a root canal may sound intimidating, the procedure is far more comfortable than you may realize. Root canal therapy is a standard procedure that can save a natural tooth and help promote excellent oral health. In fact, more than 15 million people are treated each year with root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment.
What is a root canal?
Root canal therapy treats the inside and outside of a tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.
The pulp extends from your tooth’s crown to its roots, connecting the surrounding tissues. The pulp is essential for normal tooth growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature, it can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by surrounding tissue.
How to know if you need a root canal?
Endodontic therapy is indicated when the pulp, the inner part of the tooth, becomes inflamed or infected. Inflammation or infection can have many causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the teeth, or a crack or chip on a tooth. Injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage, even if the tooth has not been cracked or chipped. If pulp inflammation or infection isn’t treated, it can cause pain or even form an abscess.
Signs suggesting the need for root canal therapy include:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- A cracked or chipped tooth
- Swollen gums or tooth discoloration
- Severe discomfort or pain while chewing/eating
Knowing the symptoms can help you understand when to seek professional help to prevent the problem from getting worse.
When you visit our Deerfield dental office with symptoms of an infected or damaged tooth, you’ll want one of our dentists to diagnose it and plan treatment. While root canal therapy can be an extensive procedure, you may rest assured that the professionals at Zen Dental are here to diagnose and treat in the most conservative manner possible.
