Signs you might need one
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp. Deep decay, a crack or an injury can let bacteria reach it, and the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Warning signs:
- A throbbing toothache, especially at night
- Lingering pain after hot or cold
- Pain when you bite down
- A pimple-like bump on the gum, or swelling
- A tooth that has darkened
What happens during treatment
After numbing the tooth, we make a small opening, remove the infected pulp, clean and shape the canals inside the roots, and seal them. Most back teeth then need a crown to protect them from cracking. Complex cases, such as curved roots or retreatment of an older root canal, call for an endodontist, and you won't need to go elsewhere for one: endodontists Dr. Randy Middleton and Dr. Lu see patients in our office on scheduled days.
Why save the tooth
Extraction can seem simpler, but a missing tooth lets neighbors drift and usually needs an implant or bridge later. A tooth saved with a root canal and crown can last a lifetime.