Originally posted on https://www.dentalcenterofnorcross.com/dental-blog/when-is-a-root-canal-needed/

When a tooth starts hurting, there’s very little anyone can do to get the necessary relief short of visiting a dentist. It is noteworthy that a majority of the pain issues involving the teeth are a result of nerve problems. The nerves in the teeth reside in what science calls root canals. The root canals are responsible for carrying blood nourishment to the teeth. When the nerves in the tooth go bad, the pain is excruciating. The restorative dentistry procedure to relieve said pain is a root canal. When is a root canal needed?

WHEN IS A ROOT CANAL NEEDED?

Pain is the first sign that someone is having an issue with their dental health. As we stated above, most pain issues involve the nerves in a root canal. For anyone wondering when is a root canal needed, the answer is simple. It’s necessary the moment a dentist can confirm the source of the pain is in the root. Failure to address the problem as soon as possible sets the stage for a possible infection. For anyone that doesn’t know, an infected tooth can become an abscessed tooth, which could be a threat to the individual’s health.

ABOUT THE ROOT CANAL PROCESS

Getting a root canal is a multi-step process. Before the dentist proceeds, he is going to need dental x-rays to determine which tooth is creating the problem. The x-ray will also pinpoint precisely the target area where the dentist needs to work.

The process will require anesthesia. The dentist will likely use Novocaine and “laughing gas” at the patient’s request. When the target tooth area is numb, the dentist will proceed to place a “dental dam” to isolate the target. They will then begin drilling straight down the center of the tooth until they reach the damaged nerve pulp. They will remove it, medicate the area, cap the tooth and restore the tooth back to normal condition.

In all, a root canal could take upwards of an hour to complete. At that time, the patient should immediately experience pain relief.

ELITE DENTAL SERVICES AT DENTAL CENTER OF NORCROSS

In addition to our root canal therapy in Norcross, GA, we also offer a wide range of other dental services. By doing so, we can help you and your family stay up to date on your dental health. Here’s a partial list of the other services we make available:

• X-Rays
• Full Evaluation
• Preventative dentistry
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Restorative dentistry for damaged and broken teeth
• General dentistry
• Family dentistry

If you or a family member are experiencing tooth pain, it’s not likely to go away on its own. You can save yourself a lot of pain and suffering by contacting the Dental Center of Norcross facility right away. We’ll be able to tell you when is a root canal needed as soon as we get a look at what’s going on in your mouth. If you have an interest, we would love to get you on a preventative dental care plan. For more information about our services, please call one of our administrators at 855.340.7482.