Endodontic therapy, or what is more commonly referred as a root canal, is a procedure used to save a tooth that is heavily infected or that has the potential of becoming heavily infected, from having to be extracted as the infection spreads. During the procedure, the infected nerve tissue and dental pulp is removed from the tooth. The empty hollow is then shaped, cleaned, and decontaminated before the hole is filled with an inert material, typically a eugenol-based cement. Since the nerve tissue and blood supply to the tooth has been removed, the tooth needs to be sealed for protection. This is typically done with a crown.
You may need a root canal if you are experiencing discoloration or darkening of the tooth, swelling or tenderness in the surrounding gums, severe pain and toothache, or prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold. It’s important to note that some patients do not experience any symptoms at all, so it’s important to have your teeth checked and cleaned annually. If an infected root canal is left untreated, the tooth’s structure can deteriorate to a point where it is no longer restorable. In such an instance, an extraction becomes the only viable option.
Root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, but this is a myth. The most painful part of most root canals is the discomfort the patient feels leading up to the need to have one. If you are still concerned, Dr. Lefort is here to answer any questions and make you feel as comfortable as possible.
When looking for Fort Myers root canals, consider Dr. Raymond Lefort, Southwest Florida’s leading dentist.
