Root Canal Therapy

What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal treats infection inside of the tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is the inner layer of the tooth. This type of infection can occur because of a deep cavity or a cracked or damaged tooth. When bacteria enters the tooth pulp, it can be serious if left untreated and lead to tooth loss.
Infected root pulp is typically the result of dental decay that reaches past the outer protective layers of the tooth and causes the pulp to become irritated or destroyed by harmful bacteria.
The aim of root canal therapy is to save the life of the tooth. If the infection is allowed to go untreated, the root pulp, also known as the “nerves” of the tooth, may die and require the tooth to be extracted. This can cause other unnecessary dental issues, such as the surrounding teeth misaligning.
The most common symptoms of a tooth infection include:
- Tooth pain that feels deep and doesn’t go away
- Pressure causing pain
- Swollen gums
- Pimples on the gums
- Tooth discoloration
Infection in your tooth’s pulp is painful. Even slight pressure or temperature changes can cause the pain to flare up. When you have a tooth infection, it’s difficult to do things like eat and speak. Luckily, a root canal can treat the symptoms and restore your tooth.
How Does a Root Canal Work?
During your appointment, Dr. DeStefano will remove the inflamed and infected tooth pulp. The steps of the process go like this:
If you have questions about root canals or how they relieve tooth pain, give us a call today.
Request an Appointment in Pittsford!
Do you have a tooth infection or suspect that you do? The best way to know if you have a tooth infection and need a root canal is to book an appointment with Dr. DeStefano. Our office is down-to-earth and comfortable, while still offering state-of-the-art dental technology.
You don’t have to live with tooth pain. A root canal can relieve your symptoms and keep the infection from spreading. Call our office today to request an appointment in Pittsford!