A root canal is a treatment that is directed to the inside passages of a tooth located between the roots and the tooth’s pulp. The procedure rids the root canal of infection and excessive pain. The root canal itself contains blood vessels and nerves. However, once a permanent tooth erupts, its nerve does not serve any real purpose except sensing cold or heat. Therefore, removing a nerve inside an infected tooth is a viable option for treating tooth pain.
Reasons for the Treatment
When you need to see a root canal specialist in Baltimore, MD, you usually need to do so because of damage or decay to the affected tooth. As a result, the root canal has been affected and needs to be treated by a specialist. In addition to tooth damage or decay, a root canal may result from repeated dental work processes that can trigger deep decay and therefore pain and discomfort.
As a result, the risks associated with a root canal in Baltimore, MD normally begin with an infection triggered by severe dental decay, recent dental work, trauma, chips, cracks, or large fillings. Therefore, a root canal saves a tooth from pain and preserves the tooth itself.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
By the time you speak to a root canal specialist, you already have noted several symptoms. These symptoms may take the form of the following:
- Serious pain when chewing or placing pressure at the site
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the removal of the stimulus
- A small bump on the gum adjacent to the tooth pain
- Swelling of the gums at the site of the tooth pain
- A darkening of the affected tooth
When you opt to see a root canal specialist, you will pay less for the therapy than having the tooth extracted and replaced by an implant. Your dentist first x-rays the area to determine the severity of the infection. He or she follows up by numbing the site and removing the damaged pulp and nerve. Next, the tooth is sealed or a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth. A crown is usually placed to complete the restoration.
