The Job of an Oral Surgeon With Root Canals

Have you ever heard any scary stories about root canals? Any oral surgeon will tell you they just aren't true.
Basically, a root canal is a specialized dental treatment, performed by an oral surgeon, which repairs and saves a decayed or infected tooth. During the procedure, the pulp and nerve inside the tooth are removed and the tooth is cleaned and sealed. If these things aren't done, the tissue around the tooth will get infected and painful abscesses may develop.
Many years ago, it was discovered the nerve of a tooth is not essential to the function and health of that tooth once the tooth has pushed its way through the gum. The only thing it really does is let you know if something is hot or cold when you taste it. But the nerve does not affect the everyday functioning of the teeth. This is great news because when the nerve tissue or pulp gets damaged, for various reasons, it begins to disintegrate and very harmful bacteria develop. This process is what causes infections and abscesses.
There are many signs and symptoms that will let you know this process is occurring. When they begin to develop, it's time to seek the help of a good oral surgeon.
Here are a few of the more common root canal symptoms:
- Severe tooth pain, especially when chewing food or applying pressure to the tooth.
- When the tooth is subjected to hot or cold temperatures, pain or sensitivity continues long after the heat or cold are removed.
- The tooth becomes discolored or dark in appearance.
- The nearby gum may begin to swell and becomes very tender.
- A "pimple" begins to develop and remain on the gum or go away and return periodically.
An abscess is actually a pocket of pus that develops in the tooth at the end of the roots. If an oral surgeon does not have the chance to clean out the tooth, the infection will continue to grow and cause tremendous pain.
Root canal infections can cause swelling of the face or the neck or the head, bone loss at the root's tip and drainage problems. The drainage can form a hole on the side of the tooth. It will then drain into the gums or even through the cheek.
There are several reasons the nerve and pulp of a tooth gets damaged. Deep decay which causes them to become inflamed, repetitive dental procedures on the same tooth and a cracked or chipped tooth to name a few. Even trauma to the face can be a culprit.
It's a comfort to know that an oral surgeon can easily and painlessly take care of your tooth's health with a simple procedure. Root canals, however, can be costly and time-consuming. But, considering the consequences, if you don't have them done, you'd be better off to put all your fears aside and let a reputable dental specialist restore you to dental health.