A lot of people are afraid of root canals. They’ve heard a lot of not-so-pleasant things about the procedure. The procedure is invaluable, because it can save a tooth. A root canal is used to repair and save a tooth that’s badly decayed or infected. Bacteria in a decaying tooth can cause an abscess. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the roots of the tooth. The infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. Deep decay damages the nerve and pulp inside a tooth. A root canal is performed, by a dentist or an Endodontist, during two appointments. The Endodontist is a specialist in working with nerves and dental pulp. Once you decide to have the procedure, Root Canal San Jose uses local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. The dentist places a rubber dam around the tooth to keep the area dry. An access hole is drilled into the tooth. The pulp, bacteria and decayed nerve tissue are removed from the tooth. A series of files are placed into the access hole. The dentist works the files down the full length of the tooth to scrape and scrub the sides of the root canal. The tooth will be sealed when the procedure is over.
During the second appointment, Root Canal Canton removes the seal on the tooth. The tooth is filled with a paste and rubber compound. Most teeth that have a root canal need to have a crown. The crown protects the tooth and prevents it from breaking. It’s best to limit chewing on the tooth until the crown is in place. Root canals have a 95 percent success rate. Most repaired teeth can last a lifetime. Root canals are expensive. An Endodontist charges around a thousand dollars for the procedure. Most insurance companies will pay for some portion. The cost of the crown will be an additional charge. It’s a lengthy and expensive procedure. But, it’s best to try and save your real teeth. If you’re missing teeth, you’ll eventually need a bridge or partial denture. These appliances can be costly, as well.
