The purpose of a root canal is to save the tooth that is damaged from trauma, deep decay, filling, or cracking by removing the nerve of the tooth and placing a filling material in the canal(s). In any of the situations listed above, harmful bacteria can make its way into the canal and affect the healthy pulp or nerve. If a patient doesn’t get treated right away, an infection can start and worsen, causing the nerve to die, which can be very painful to the patient and cause damage to the bone surrounding the tooth. This is what causes an abscess.
When completing a root canal, the dentist will first get the tooth completely numb. The nerve of the tooth is removed using special files. The next step involves placing a filling material into the canals and building the tooth back up so a crown can be placed. After a tooth has had root canal treatment, the tooth will become weak because it is not receiving any nutrients now that the nerve is removed. This is why it is so important that a crown is placed after a root canal to keep the tooth strong.
For your comfort and to ease your anxiety, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation. Dr. Tyler Hubbard has training to safely and effectively administer the medication used in sedation dentistry.