When Do You Need a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is performed to repair a severely infected tooth. At All Smile Dental, our dentist in Turlock and our dentist in Modesto will remove the infected pulp from your tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the root canals. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected before the pulp is replaced with a rubber-like material. The tooth is then filled and sealed, and a crown is placed over it for protection. 

You may need a root canal in case of any of the following:

Tooth Infection

A root canal treatment is used to repair and save a tooth that has been infected due to a deep cavity or a crack or chip in the tooth. When bacteria get into the tooth pulp, it can cause an infection in the tooth. If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to an abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus around the tip of the root. Symptoms of an abscess can include swelling, pain, and sensitivity.

Cracked Teeth

Cracks can happen for a number of reasons. Grinding poorly aligned teeth, biting on hard objects, and biting your nails are all common culprits.

A cracked tooth needs to be treated to avoid worsening the damage.

Traumatic Injury

Root canal therapy is a safe and effective way to treat injuries to the teeth and jaw caused by a traumatic injury.

If the tooth’s pulp becomes injured, either by blunt force or a broken tooth, the injured pulp tissue must be removed. Otherwise, a bacterial infection can occur. The infected pulp tissue needs to be removed to stop the infection from spreading, and root canal therapy is an appropriate treatment. This therapy cleans out the infected pulp tissue, preventing infection and allowing the natural tooth to remain in the mouth.

Severe Gum Disease

Root canal therapy can help treat severe gum disease. Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is an infection of the gums that can lead to pain, tooth loss, and bone loss.

Root canal therapy cleans the tooth and removes the infection. The infection can’t come back because the tooth and the roots are sealed. This dental procedure can also help preserve your natural teeth. Without treatment, you may lose your teeth due to gum disease.

All Smile Dental is here to give you the best oral tips and help you restore your smile. You can book an appointment with our dentist in Turlock, CA, at the dental office by calling (209) 668-3736 or our dentist in Modesto, CA, at the dental office by calling (209) 409-8839.