Root canal therapy may be required if the nerve of your tooth has become affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, your dentist can remove the pulp (living tissue in the tooth), nerves, bacteria and any decay. Then the resulting space is filled with special medicated dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.
Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy are:
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Sometimes no symptoms are present
- Swelling and/or tenderness
Most dentists consider a root canal to be the best course of treatment to save a tooth that otherwise would die and need removal. After the root canal is completed it usually needs a dental crown to return the tooth to its original shape.
For more information on our Brighton root canal dentists and how to find out if you need a root canal, contact our Brighton dentists or call us at 810.227.4111.