Glendale Patients Seek Root Canal Therapy to Save Their Teeth

When you are missing teeth, you have several options to restore your smile, partial dentures, bridges, and dental implants are all excellent restorative options. However, the vast majority of dentists and patients worldwide agree that saving natural teeth when possible is the preferred choice. The American Association of Endodontists conducted a survey that found that people would rather pay taxes, get the flu, or speak in public than lose a natural tooth. Root canal therapy saves millions of teeth each year that would otherwise require extraction.

The Need for Treatment

When the pulp in the center of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, root canal therapy is necessary to save the tooth, stop the pain, and prevent damage to surrounding tissues. The pulp is a soft tissue that runs from a chamber in the crown of the tooth through root canals to the tip of the root in the jawbone. It contains the nerves that perceive temperature and pain and can be extremely painful if damaged and left untreated. Without treatment, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues causing the bone to break down and loosen the tooth.

Saving the Tooth

Root canal treatment is very similar to having a tooth filled. Once the patient is comfortable and the tooth is numb, Dr. Koppikar makes a small access opening in the crown of the tooth and removes the pulp and infection. The area is cleaned, sterilized, filled, and sealed, completing the procedure. In some cases, the doctor may recommend covering the tooth with a crown to strengthen and protect it. Some people have heard outdated stories about the treatment being uncomfortable. Modern dentistry has changed that, today, patients who have had root canal therapy are six times more likely to call it painless than those who have never had the treatment.

Turn to the Excellence of Experience

If you are suffering from a painful tooth that you suspect may be infected, it is important to seek help promptly. Dr. Sameet Koppikar has extensive skill and experience in performing successful root canal therapy. After a careful evaluation, he will explain your options and answer your questions to help you make the choice that is right for you. Call Biltmore Dental Center at (602) 704-0659 and schedule your appointment today.