General & Family Dentistry
Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 5:30 Office hours by appointment
401 N. Bridge St.
Linden, MI. 48451
Root Canal, or endodontics, is the process of
removing the nerves from the roots of a tooth.
A root canal is often necessary to save an
infected tooth. If an infected tooth is left alone
for a long period of time, an abscess can form.
An abscess will show up on an x-ray as a dark
spot below the apex of the root. This is actually
bone loss in the jaw. It is very important to
catch this problem before it deteriorates too far.
Process
The first step of the procedure is to anesthetize
the effected area. The next step is to open an
access point through the top, or biting surface
of the tooth. The doctor will then determine a
working length of each canal. Each canal is
then cleaned and shaped in preparation for the
filling material. Once each canal is prepared, it
is filled with an inert material called gutta
percha. The canals are then sealed. The tooth
is now ready for a restoration, which is usually
a crown. This entire procedure is often
completed in two visits.
Why do I need a root canal?
There are a number of reasons why one of your
teeth may need a root canal. These include but
are not limited to, a very deep cavity that
extends into the nerve, a trauma to the tooth
that exposes the nerve, or a crack in the tooth
that extends into the nerve of the tooth.
Signs / Symptoms
•
Moderate to severe lingering toothache
pain when drinking
hot or cold liquids or foods.
•
Moderate to severe pain when biting on a
tooth
•
Sensitivity to tapping or pressure on the
tooth
•
Toothache that wakes you up in the middle
of the night
•
A pimple on your gum that may release pus
or blood
•
Radiating pain from one area of the mouth
to another