Root Canal. For some people, just reading those words can send chills down their spines and spur thoughts of pain and discomfort. Actually, however, root canal is designed to relieve the pain of an infected tooth, and with modern dental techniques, the procedure involves hardly any discomfort at all. With root canal treatment, Dr. Renee Corbitt in Ft. Worth, TX, eliminates pain and prevents the possibility of needing to have your tooth extracted.
To understand the root canal procedure, let’s first examine the structure of a tooth. Enamel is a tooth’s hard, outer layer. The middle layer is called dentin and is more sensitive. At the core of each tooth is the dental, or soft, pulp. This pulp chamber and its connected root canals house the tooth’s nerve and lymph tissue as well as blood vessels. If the barrier to a tooth’s pulp is breached, whether by severe decay or an injury that causes a deep crack, then this pulp may be exposed to infection-causing bacteria. When this happens, the pain begins as does the threat of spreading infection.
Other than pain—and there isn’t always pain with an infected tooth—the symptoms of a tooth in need of root canal therapy include discoloration of the tooth, swelling of the surrounding gum and soft tissue, and obvious signs of infection on an x-ray.
The Root Canal Procedure
During a root canal, Dr. Corbitt anesthetizes the tooth and surrounding tissue and then accesses the pulp chamber, completely clearing it of infection and any debris. The space is then filled with an antibacterial, bio-compatible material and the chamber is sealed. To strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage, Dr. Corbitt will likely want to place a crown on the tooth. With proper brushing and flossing, you’re newly restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have been experiencing any of the uncomfortable symptoms of an infected tooth, then call the office of Dr. Renee Corbitt in Ft. Worth, TX, today and schedule an appointment to determine whether or not a root canal is necessary. Delaying treatment puts your tooth and your health at risk. We conveniently serves patients in Arlington, Richland Hills, Forest Hill and Haltom City and throughout the DFW Metroplex.