Many people cringe when they hear the phrase “root canal”. That's because root canals used to take hours to perform and caused considerable pain. Owing to recent improvements in technology, this process is very different now--typically taking less than an hour with minimal discomfort.
Root canal is a simple name for repairing a damaged or infected tooth and its root. If the tooth has been injured or cracked and becomes infected, the blood vessels inside its root can get infected. They need to be cleaned and sealed to keep from becoming abscessed and toxic.
Your teeth are usually going to tell you when they’re injured or infected. You’ll feel pain, see swelling and bleeding from a tooth and surrounding gums. People sometimes ignore these symptoms, thinking the problem will go away eventually. Unfortunately, the infection can start going into the jawbone and, if left on its own, can threaten other areas of the body and jeopardize your health.
Here's what a typical root canal involves:
If you have an injured or abscessed tooth, see your dentist ASAP. It isn't something that gets better with time or heals itself. Modern techniques and practices make a root canal nothing like it was in the past; you can get treatment and be back on your feet in a matter of minutes instead of days.
