Endodontics in San Antonio
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure where the nerve tissues inside of a tooth are removed. From there, the hollow chambers are cleaned out then sealed off with a special filling material called gutta percha. This rubber-like texture seals the canals so that bacteria won’t leak into the tooth or cause a recurring infection.
Most root canal treatments can be completed in one appointment with local anesthetic (numbing medication). We have become quite proficient in endodontic therapy. The treatment is one that we enjoy, allowing us to ensure a comfortable experience for each one of our patients. On average, most endodontic appointments only take about an hour to complete.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
Pain or discomfort isn’t always a good determining factor for tooth health. The best way to determine if you need a root canal is to have an X-ray taken of that tooth. From there, our dentist will be able to tell if there is an abscess or some type of internal damage to the root.
There are also simple tests we can perform during your exam to help determine if the tooth is cracked. If the damage is only superficial or does not extend into the nerve, something more conservative (such as a dental filling) may be the better treatment option.
Root canals are recommended on teeth with
- Abscesses
- Decay reaching into the nerve
- Deep cracks or fractures
- Severe pain
- Nerve death
Any time the nerve of a tooth becomes traumatized by injury or infection, it causes the tooth to die. Rather than remove the tooth entirely, endodontic therapy helps preserve the overall tooth structure and keep the tooth intact for several more years.
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