A root canal is a state-of-the-art dental procedure that enables you to treat damaged or infected tooth pulp without having to extract your tooth entirely. Samir Patel, DDS, and the team of professionals at Plainsboro Family Dentistry provide their patients with safe and effective root canals at a convenient location in Plainsboro, New Jersey. Call the office or book an appointment online to restore your oral health with a root canal today.
A root canal is a procedure that treats and restores a tooth whose nerve has been significantly affected by decay or infection. It involves removing the decayed pulp from within your tooth and replacing it with a special rubber-like compound called gutta-percha.
Root canals are incredibly modern and beneficial procedures because they enable you to treat your infection or damage without drastically altering the natural structures of your mouth.
In the past, the only way to deal with infected or damaged tooth pulp was to extract it entirely, but a root canal allows you to preserve most of your natural tooth, which has a number of benefits for your oral health.
Your tooth pulp is only necessary when your permanent teeth are still emerging in your smile. After that, the only real purpose that your pulp serves is to provide your tooth with sensation, like the feeling of hot and cold.
You don’t lose any functionality by removing your tooth pulp, making the benefits of a root canal far outweigh any perceived drawbacks.
Some of the indications that you might have damage or infection inside your tooth that requires a root canal treatment include:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with Plainsboro Family Dentistry immediately. The team can perform a more thorough examination to determine whether or not your tooth is in need of a root canal.
First, your dentist numbs your tooth and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic and protects the rest of your mouth with a rubber dental dam. Then, they drill a hole in the top of your tooth to gain access to its inner chambers.
They use a series of small files to remove your damaged or decayed tooth pulp through the access hole, then clean and sterilize the inside of your tooth. Next, they fill your tooth with gutta-percha and seal the access hole in the top.
Finally, they fit your tooth with a crown. This provides extra protection for your tooth and restores its full function.
Schedule your root canal today by calling the office of Plainsboro Family Dentistry or booking a visit online.