A widely preferred alternative to tooth extraction, root canal treatment can relieve pain, protect against future infection, and preserve your future smile.
What is a Root Canal?
Teeth are made up of four different kinds of tissues – three hard and one soft. The soft tissue, the pulp, consists of connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves, all of which can become inflamed if bacteria enter the pulp chamber.
A root canal is a procedure that removes dead, infected, or damaged pulp from a tooth. This can relieve pain as well as protect your gums, jaw, and surrounding teeth from further infection or nerve damage and decay. Unlike tooth extraction, a root canal also allows you to keep your tooth and preserve your smile.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
You may need a root canal if your tooth is:
- Extra sensitive to heat and cold
- Dark or discolored
- Cracked or broken
- Causing severe pain with pressure or eating
- Draining pus
- Emanating a foul taste or odor
What to Expect
The procedure itself is painless, as your dentist or endodontist will use a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. First, they will open the top of your tooth to expose the damaged pulp. Following this, they will clean the interior of the tooth and replace it with a filling. Finally, they will seal the tooth back up, and in some cases, place a crown in order to prevent bone loss and the spread of infection. You may experience some discomfort following the procedure, but it can be managed with proper aftercare.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville™ – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
