Raising Awareness With Root Canal Awareness Week

The 15th Annual Root Canal Awareness Week runs May 10-16, and professionals hope the focus raises awareness about health, wellness, and available endodontist treatments.

In many ways, root canal procedures highlight the essential relationship between family dentistry offices and Advanced Endodontics’ five Florida locations. Local dentists typically refer patients to our experienced team to perform necessary root canals. However, our community members do not necessarily need a referral. We provide our leading services and consultations for everyone. We hope the following information in conjunction with Root Canal Awareness Week helps you make informed decisions.

What Is A Root Canal?

The treatment is designed to eliminate any infection from a tooth’s root. The process removes elements that could become inflamed or infected in an effort to save the natural tooth. A root canal also helps prevent infection from occurring and spreading to the jawbone and other areas of the face. In essence, treatment ranks among the best option to protect your oral health and welfare.

What Steps Are Taken During Root Canal Treatment?

If your dentist or endodontist advises you to undergo a root canal, there’s no need to be alarmed. Millions of people benefit from this treatment each ear. An endodontist typically clears a pathway to access the soft tissue under the hard tooth enamel called the pulp.

The pulp is composed of connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves that initially helped grow the tooth. An endodontist can remove the pulp without the tooth incurring negative effects. That’s largely because the surrounding tissue continues to nourish the tooth even in the absence of pulp. You can anticipate the following steps during the root canal.

• Anesthetic: A small numbing application may be delivered to the gums near the tooth. Once the numbing agent takes effect, a local anesthetic is usually injected into the gums. Patients typically experience a slight pinch that passes quickly.
• Pulp Removal: The endodontist makes a small opening in the tooth, if necessary, and uses specialized dental tools to extract the soft tissue while the area is numbed.
• Antibiotics: The specialist generally applies a topical antibiotic to protect the tooth and deter infection. It’s not uncommon to take antibiotics following the procedure.
• Temporary Filling: The empty canal may be filled and sealed with a temporary material. This process remains common when a crown or another denture product is made to replace a tooth or cover damaged areas.

Although a root canal may seem like an invasive procedure, the numbing agents employed and the new advances in dental technology tools make it as seamless as teeth fillings, among others. Patients usually experience mild discomfort for a few days following the treatment. With the once infected area now cleaned and filled, the tooth can remain healthy and functional going forward.

How To Tell If You May Need A Root Canal?

In many cases, cracked, damaged, or broken teeth make it clear that a root canal may be necessary. Exposed pulp or soft material that appears close to the surface can easily get infected, causing tooth death. While these obvious scenarios often prompt people to schedule an endodontist appointment, the following rank among the more subtle signs you might require a root canal.

• Experience significant pain when biting down or chewing
• Pimples begin to appear on gums
• Gums appear swollen or tender to the touch
• The gum line appears dark or decaying
• Teeth appear overly sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages

Dental professionals regard a root canal as a restorative treatment that keeps natural teeth in place and protects people from the risk of infection, gum disease, and other negative effects. This outpatient process delivers significant benefits and helps avoid costly procedures.

Contact Advanced Endodontics about Root Canal Treatment

We hope this information and Root Canal Awareness Week prove valuable to Floridians. If you or a loved one suffers a damaged tooth or telltale signs you may have an underlying condition, it’s crucial to schedule a consultation. Contact Advanced Endodontics and make an appointment at one of our convenient Florida locations today.