Nothing works better than your natural teeth!
Root canal therapy, aka endodontic therapy, is one of the main reasons people are able to keep their teeth for a lifetime. Before the advent of endodontic treatments, the only treatment for teeth that were damaged of infected was to extraction. There are several things that can damage a tooth to the degree that the nerve inside dies and it needs root canal therapy, including…
- Trauma, such as from an accident
- Decay
- Stress to tooth from biting, chewing, or grinding habits
- Normal Dental Aging
With root canal/endodontic therapy, only the tissue that is causing the pain is removed and the tooth is saved. A tooth’s pulp contains nerve fibers, arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue. The never enters the tooth at the root and runs through the center of the root in small “root canals,” up to the pulp chamber. After your teeth are mature, the nerve’s only function is to provide the ability to feel the difference between hot or cold. So, if a tooth is sick or damaged, Dr. Loden can perform a “root canal,” leaving the exterior part of your natural tooth, which can then be reinforced, and strengthened through bonding or crowning.
The warning signs that you may have a tooth that needs attention include…
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Sensitivity to sweet foods and/or drinks
- Sensitivity to pressure when biting or chewing
- Tenderness
Recent advances in root canal treatment allow us to save teeth that in the past would have been diagnosed as untreatable. First, we examine and x-ray your teeth to determine the best treatment plan for you. If root canal therapy is indicated, the treatment can usually be completed in a single visit. Nonsurgical root canal therapy is one of the most successful dental procedures performed today.