Few people want to hear that they need to have a root canal. This type of dental surgery is actually fairly common, but most people avoid it because they believe it’s very painful. While that can be true, it’s also often a necessary procedure if you want to avoid losing a tooth. This type of procedure falls under the area of endodontics, the branch of dentistry that deals with the nerves connected to your teeth.
Causes and Treatment
A root canal is required when there is an infection in the nerve of the tooth. When this occurs, you’ll know it because you will be in extreme pain, especially when you eat. The only way to deal with this type of infection is to have the nerve removed, which requires drilling into the tooth. If you don’t deal with the infection quickly, it can lead to a more serious condition called an abscess. An abscess can actually result in bone loss, so it’s important that you deal with this issue.
How Treatment Is Done
When being treated for a root canal in Baltimore, MD, your dental surgeon will first numb the part of your mouth where the tooth is located. Next, the surgeon will actually use a drill to drill into the tooth. He will then remove all of the infected tissue and the nerve before cleaning the area and filling the space with a special type of sealant. Following this, your dentist will place a crown on the tooth. That will protect the area from future infection; plus, it makes your tooth look better.
Most people are afraid of having someone drill into their teeth, expecting it to be incredibly painful. However, the anesthetic eliminates pain during the procedure and your dentist may prescribe painkillers to take during the recovery period.
