Root Canal Therapy Restores Oral Health

Every tooth has various parts that all work together to create optimal function. We pay much attention to the outermost layer, the enamel, primarily because this is what is readily visible and impacts the appearance of the smile the most. The inner areas of the tooth, however, are very important. At the center of a tooth is the root canal, a column through which the nerve travels through the root. In the root canal is the pulp, soft tissue that surrounds and protects the nerve and supplies the tooth with nourishment.

Sometimes, this inner area of the tooth becomes affected by traumatic damage or from extensive tooth decay, resulting in infection of pulp tissue. Because the pulp is located in close proximity to the nerve of the tooth, an infection will cause the nerve to send out strong pain signals. The problem is that most people, when they experience pain, avoid anyone poking around in their mouth, leading them to avoid receiving the dental care they desperately need. Leaving infected pulp untreated will result in the worsening of pain as the infection travels to surrounding tissues. Ultimately, the affected tooth will fall out if infection is not treated with root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy is the only way to remove infected pulp and alleviate pain. Unfortunately, this procedure has been associated with pain and inconvenience for years. In truth, this procedure is what eliminates the pain that comes from infection. Root canal therapy is performed under local anesthetic, so the patient feels nothing while Dr. Fritz carefully removes all decay and infected tissue. For patients who are apprehensive about treatment, we also offer oral sedation that will alleviate all anxiety and allow a more comfortable experience.

The actual procedure tends to take only about an hour to complete, time that flies by, especially when oral sedation is used. During this time, Dr. Fritz removes all pulp tissue, as well as the infected nerve of the affected tooth. The root canal is then thoroughly cleaned to ensure no bacteria remains, and the canal is sealed off. A temporary crown is placed while a permanent crown is fabricated in the dental lab.

Many of our patients who feared root canal therapy have voiced how happily surprised they were at the ease of their treatment session. When the benefits of this necessary therapy are so significant, and the method of treatment so convenient, there is no reason to avoid the root canal procedure.