What is root canal therapy and is it uncomfortable?
If your tooth is so badly damaged that the decay has reached the nerve inside the tooth, it is too late to save it with just a simple filling or crown. You may notice this by having a toothache or swelling. The nerve is infected by the decay bacteria and will need to be removed from inside the tooth. That is what root canal therapy is. The first step is to control the infection with antibiotics, if necessary, to reduce the swelling or toothache. Then the tooth is anesthetized and the contents of the nerve chamber or root canal are cleaned out of the tooth which removes the source of the infection. Once this is done, the root canal is filled to seal it from leakage, and the tooth is ready for a final restoration, such as a crown. Most root canal therapy can be accomplished in one or two visits and is usually comfortable for the patient. Your doctor can explain the procedure in more detail to you at your consultation appointment.
