Root Canal Treatment in Denver, CO
If one component of your car goes haywire, do you throw the whole car away? Most likely, you would simply fix that piece or replace it to get your vehicle up and running again! Root canal treatment works similarly, as Dr. Rice aims to treat your dental problems while keeping your natural teeth intact whenever possible. When an infection breaches your tooth, you risk needing an extraction to keep your smile healthy. Fortunately, root canal treatment is a targeted solution that restores your tooth without causing unnecessary destruction. By clearing out the infection, Dr. Rice can relieve your tooth pain, prevent further issues, and save your tooth from extraction!
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
To understand root canal treatment, you must first know the difference between a structural root canal and a root canal procedure.
A tooth has several layers, with the innermost layer being the most sensitive.
First is the enamel, or hard outer shell of white that you see in your smile. Next is the dentin, a yellowish layer that is soft and sensitive to temperature changes. Finally, the inner portion, which houses both the pulp chamber and the root canal.
The pulp chamber is an open space inside your tooth that contains dental pulp, or a collection of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. This pulp also reaches down into your root canals, which are narrow passages through your tooth roots.
When bacteria surpass both the enamel and dentin of your tooth, it leaves your pulp vulnerable to infection. Root canal treatment helps remove infected dental pulp, clean your roots of infection, and seal off the damage!
Why Might You Need a Root Canal?
Because pulp contains sensitive nerves, an infection can cause intense, lingering tooth pain. If left untreated, this infection will worsen, eventually weakening the gum and bone tissue responsible for keeping your tooth secure. To protect your surrounding teeth from the spread of bacteria, your problem tooth may need an extraction.
But removing a tooth causes different problems and requires prompt replacement! To preserve your natural tooth’s structure and keep your smile healthy, Dr. Rice routinely provides root canal treatment.
Signs that you may need a root canal include:
- Persistent tooth pain
- Sensitivity to temperatures
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Swollen gums or abscesses
- Deep decay or large cavities
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, call Dr. Rice as soon as possible! He will then schedule the earliest available emergency appointment to provide root canal treatment that relieves your pain.
Breaking Down Root Canal Treatment
When you come in for tooth pain or a possible root canal infection, Dr. Rice will perform a thorough dental exam to assess the extent of your problem. In many cases, he’ll even use innovative X-ray technology to determine the location and cause of your dental pain.
To begin root canal treatment, Dr. Rice will numb your smile. For those who face dental anxiety and need help relaxing, he also provides effective sedation options that keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Then, he will secure a dental dam around your problem tooth to isolate it and keep it dry.
Using special dental tools, he will create a small opening in the crown of your tooth to access the pulp chamber. Afterward, he will gently remove the pulp from inside the root canal and disinfect the area. To seal your tooth and protect it from re-infection, he will fill the canals with a material called gutta-percha.
Finally, Dr. Rice will either place a filling or a dental crown on your tooth to strengthen its structure.
Root canal treatment has a bad reputation for being painful. But in reality, a root canal actually provides more pain relief than it causes. After their visit, most patients feel immediate relief and only experience some tenderness for a few days.
Save Your Tooth From Extraction With Dr. Rice!
If your tooth is in pain, there may be a way to find pain relief and prevent an extraction. With root canal treatment, Dr. Rice can remove the infection from your tooth and help fortify its structure! If you’re experiencing intense dental pain and need a solution, visit Dr. Rice in Denver, CO, to determine whether you need a root canal.