Despite its bad reputation, a root canal is a common, effective, and painless dental procedure. A root canal can help save a damaged or
decayed tooth and eliminate the need for extraction. Find out more about root canal therapy and how it can help you with Dr. Robert Dame at North Park Family Dental in Grand Rapids, MI.
When is a root canal necessary?
A root canal becomes necessary when the tooth’s inner pulp chamber and nerve become damaged or infected with decay. When this occurs, it usually results in a toothache. A root canal not only clears the infected tissues out of the tooth but removes the tooth’s nerve. This relieves the toothache that often signals a root canal problem. Root canal therapy is safe and usually takes under an hour. Your dentist may recommend a dental crown to cover the tooth after a root canal procedure.
Root Canal Procedure
The procedure for a root canal begins with numbing the work area with a local anesthetic. This ensures the patient feels no pain during their procedure. The dentist makes a small hole in the crown of the tooth and removes its infected tissues and the tooth’s nerve. With the inside of the tooth cleared out, your dentist will scrub the walls of the tooth to ensure no infected tissue remains behind. Then, your dentist fills the void left behind to renew the structural integrity of the tooth. If necessary, a separate appointment will occur to crown the tooth.
Root Canal Therapy in Grand Rapids, MI
In the past, extracting the tooth altogether was the only answer to severe decay or damage to the tooth. A root canal avoids extraction and preserves your natural tooth. This is crucial to avoid a gap in your smile and the side effects that come with it, such as drifting teeth and bone atrophy. For more information on root canals, please contact Dr. Robert Dame at North Park Family Dental in Grand Rapids, MI. Call 616-361-7265 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Dame today!