Root Canals
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure which removes infected tissue called pulp. This tissue is located in a channel in the root of the tooth. Some teeth have one root; and others have several roots. Infected pulp can cause pain in the tooth. An infected root can also create an abscess at the tip which then infects the surrounding structures.
During a root canal, the infected pulp is totally removed and the empty canal is cleaned and disinfected. Any abscess found at the root tip can then be successfully treated since the source of the infection has been eliminated.
The channel is then filled with a sterile filling material to seal the entire structure from future contamination by bacteria. The final step is to rebuild the tooth with either a crown or a filling. Our doctors will guide you on how to best restore the tooth to optimum function and beauty.
The Truth About Root Canals
While root canals are synonymous with unpleasant experiences, Peoria dentist Dr. Josh Hudson is experienced and highly skilled with root canal procedures and offers effective, gentle care to make sure the entire root canal process is painless! Root canals are probably the most misunderstood dental procedure. Being the butt of many jokes, it is a common belief that the root canal is a horrible and painful procedure.
- They don’t hurt. You are numb during the entire procedure. We frequently have patients fall asleep during the procedure. They don’t hurt!
- They relieve pain. Many patients who need root canal therapy arrive in pain. The root canal relieves their pain!
- We don’t remove the roots of the teeth. The infected contents of the roots are removed. It’s a little hollow space inside the tooth that gets cleaned out.
- Root canals save teeth that otherwise would have to be extracted.
When Is a Root Canal Needed?
- Decay has reached the nerve of the tooth
- The nerve has been irritated beyond natural healing and is causing pain
- The nerve has died and is causing inflammation or swelling
- There is an abscess at the end of the root
