Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment (also known as endodontic therapy or root canal therapy) becomes necessary when tooth decay reaches the pulp, or living tissue, inside of a tooth. Root canal therapy can also be required to restore a tooth with a damaged nerve caused by trauma or a deep restoration. Once the pulp becomes infected, this infection can move towards the root tip and eventually begin destroying the surrounding bone. Infected pulp cannot heal on its own, so it is very important to have it treated as soon as possible. Without proper treatment, the infected tooth can cause the whole immune system to weaken – a dangerous and painful consequence.

You may need a root canal if you notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• A bad taste in the mouth
• Sensitivity to sweets or hot and cold
• Swelling
• Consistent pain
• Pain to pressure or biting

In some cases, there are no apparent symptoms and the problem is not recognized until a check-up. Once Dr. Rosales has diagnosed the problem, he will perform a root canal to remove the infected tooth pulp and sterilize the tooth canals. After the infection has been removed, Dr. Rosales will fill the tooth canals to prevent any future infections. Following root canal therapy, we may recommend a core build-up and dental crown for additional protection. To learn more about root canal treatment and restorative dentistry, please contact the office of Dr. Rosales in Dallas today.