Dental pulp is the soft area in the center of a tooth where the blood vessels, nerves, and immune system are located. If the dental pulp becomes infected or decayed, Dr. Bethaney B. Brenner may recommend a root canal. Root canal therapy is the process by which our dentist removes the infected dental pulp from the tooth, cleans out the tooth, and seals it. There are not always symptoms, but if you experience any of the following, root canal therapy may be necessary:
If infected dental pulp is not removed, it breaks down and bacteria starts to spread in the pulp chamber. This causes an infection. A pus-filled pocket called an abscess also forms at the end of the tooth’s root. Untreated infected dental pulp can cause swelling that may spread to the face, neck, or head. Bone loss can occur around the tip of the tooth’s root. The root canal treatment is usually done in one visit, and the tooth will need a crown within three months to protect the tooth from further issues.
We encourage you to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next appointment.