Endodontics is the dental specialty dealing with the nerves of the teeth. Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected, it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves must be removed. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, which can lead to bone loss in the jaw.
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. Dr. Nguyen will drill into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. He will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection is removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal be fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth and the chances of the root canal being successful.
"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary." Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but this is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkilliers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but Dr. Nguyen may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from paoin caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain form heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain, consult Dr. Nguyen today.