What is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is performed when the soft inner part of a tooth, known as the pulp, is injured or becomes inflamed or infected. The most common symptoms of damaged pulp include pain in your tooth, and swelling and heat in your gum. Our dentists at County Dental will examine the painful tooth and take X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.
Inside each tooth is the pulp, which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth; it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don’t remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it.
After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a protective porcelain crown that strengthens the tooth and prolongs its use. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile! The dentists at County Dental can perform this simple, virtually painless procedure in as few as one to three visits.