Root Canals

When you have a deeply decayed or infected tooth, root canal therapy is often the most effective treatment to avoid permanent tooth loss. At Tropical Dental Care in Tomball, Texas, Kenneth Tran, DDS, and Nikki Korloo, DDS, with the experienced dental team, perform safe, comfortable, and effective root canals to preserve your teeth. Call the practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are root canals?

Root canals are minimally invasive procedures that can save teeth in danger of requiring extraction. If deep decay or infection reaches your tooth pulp — the soft material in the center of your teeth that contains nerves and blood vessels — it can cause severe pain. 

All teeth need healthy pulp to reach full maturity. However, once you reach adulthood, the pulp is no longer necessary. To preserve your damaged tooth and prevent an infection from spreading, the Tropical Dental Care team may remove your pulp and replace it with a biocompatible material.

When are root canals necessary?

A root canal is often the only alternative to an extraction. If you have a severely decayed, damaged, or infected tooth, the team at Tropical Dental Care may recommend a root canal. 

The team can determine whether you need a root canal during your bi-annual teeth cleaning and dental exam. However, you may also experience symptoms, such as:

• Tooth pain
• Bad breath
• Darkened tooth
• Pain when chewing
• Loose teeth
• Fever
• Facial swelling
• Swollen gums
• Small pimple on gums (abscess)

Some people experience no symptoms at all when they need a root canal, so scheduling regular dental exams is essential to protect your oral health. If you are experiencing a severe toothache, emergency dental visits are available.

What do root canals involve?

After administering an anesthetic and sedation if needed, the team forms a small access hole in the center of your affected tooth. Next, they use thin dental instruments to carefully remove the decayed or infected pulp. 

Cleaning and disinfecting the tooth chamber is critical to prevent another infection. Finally, the team inserts a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to replace your pulp before sealing the access hole.

What happens after root canals?

After your root canal, the team may place a filling to protect your tooth. Teeth treated with root canal therapy are typically weaker than untreated teeth. To protect your tooth from additional damage and seal out bacteria, the team may recommend placing a dental crown. That tooth-shaped cap provides a barrier for your tooth to keep it healthy and strong.

Call Tropical Dental Care today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about root canals.