If you are like most people, you might shudder when you hear the words “root canal” escape your family dentist’s lips. Although this common dental procedure is really nothing more than a deep interior dental cleaning and a full-tooth filling, many people are nervous about root canals. However, by understanding what they are and why they are necessary, your next experience might be less intimidating.

What Are Root Canals?

During a root canal, your family dentist or endodontist starts by numbing the entire area with a powerful local anesthetic and drilling an access point into the surface of the tooth. This access point allows your dentist to remove the interior nerves and blood vessels of the tooth, so that the entire area can be cleaned and sanitized.

After the interior pulp is removed, your dentist will use a series of files to access the roots of the tooth for additional cleaning. After the entire tooth is cleaned from the inside, the tooth is filled with a rubber compound, called gutta percha, and the access point is sealed with a filling. Because removing the blood vessels and nerves of the tooth can make it more brittle, root canals are usually finished with a permanent crown.

When Are Root Canals Necessary? 

Root canals are necessary whenever the interior pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Problems like extensive tooth decay, trauma, or even disease can affect the health of the teeth, and root canals are necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the root system. Signs you may need a root canal include sensitivity to pressure and heat, significant dental pain, tooth discoloration, and tissue damage around the tooth.

Are you living with the symptoms of a deep dental infection? Don’t wait to meet with your family dentist.  Anchorage Dental Center focuses on all aspects of dental care, including preventive dentistry, endodontic treatment, and cosmetic restorations. Focused on the patient experience, this team of dedicated dental professionals understands what it means to offer exceptional customer service. For more information about their practice, explore their website or call (907) 278-2521.