Root Canals in Riverview

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure used to save a damaged or infected tooth when the nerve inside of it is dying, abscessed, or infected. Unlike fillings or crowns, root canals treat the nerve chamber that runs through the middle of the tooth. The nerve transmits sensations such as temperature changes and pain, and it can become compromised if the tooth is cracked or has a very deep cavity.

During a root canal, our Riverview dentist opens the tooth and removes the infected pulp (nerve) from the inside of it. Then the empty chamber is cleaned out, and the space is sealed off to prevent future infection. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and is a relatively straightforward process, similar to getting a filling or crown.

Signs You Need a Root Canal

•    Hypersensitivity to hot or warm temperatures

•    Pain when biting down or chewing

•    A deep crack or cavity in your tooth

•    Evidence of an abscess (blister or cyst) around the tip of your tooth root

•    Signs of nerve death, such as tooth discoloration

•    Previous traumatic injuries to that tooth

During your dental exam, we will take a small X-ray of your tooth to evaluate the full length of the root and the area around it. We will also check for signs of crack or nerve damage. 

Alternatives to Endodontic Treatment

In some cases, an alternative to root canal therapy may be recommended. For example, if the damage to the tooth is too severe or the infection has spread too far, our dentist may suggest an extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge. However, in many cases, a root canal is the best option to preserve the natural tooth and avoid the need for more extensive dental work in the future.

By treating areas of tooth decay as early as possible, more conservative restorations such as fillings or crowns may be all that you need. But once an infection has compromised the health of a nerve, root canal treatment is the only viable option.