A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat a tooth that has been damaged or infected due to decay, trauma, or any other cause. In this procedure, the dentist removes the diseased pulp and then cleanses and disinfects the exposed section of your tooth before filling it with material to seal it off from future infections. A lot of people don’t know what root canal treatment is and how it works, so here’s some information on this common dental procedure:
Root Canal
A root canal is the most common dental procedure, and it’s done to save a tooth that has been damaged or infected. A dentist will remove all of the pulp (tissue) from inside your tooth and seal up your root canal with a filling material.
The purpose of this article is to explain how a general dentist can perform this procedure on their own patients without having specialized training in endodontics (the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of teeth).
Endodontist
A root canal is a procedure that can be performed by a general dentist, but it’s best to see an endodontist instead. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in root canals and has additional training in endodontics. Endodontists have more experience than general dentists when it comes to performing this kind of surgery–and they’re better at making sure your tooth stays healthy for life after the procedure.
A root canal is necessary when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or damaged beyond repair, causing pain and eventually death if left untreated. The pulp contains blood vessels that nourish your tooth with nutrients; they also supply nerves so you feel things like cold air hitting the surface of your cheekbone when you take a breath on a chilly day (or any other sensation related to temperature). When these nerves become damaged by infection or decay over time (as happens with most people), there’s no way for them to heal themselves without help from an outside source like antibiotics or surgery: enter endodontics!
Dentist vs. Endodontist
The American Association of Endodontists defines endodontics as “the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the morphology, physiology, and pathology of the human dental pulp.” In other words, a dentist who specializes in this field has gone to dental school and then specialized further.
A general dentist can do everything from fillings to root canals. However, if your tooth needs a root canal treatment, you should see an endodontist instead–they’re more highly trained than general dentists!
Why Choose a Root Canal?
- You have a tooth that is infected.
- You want to save it, so you can avoid losing your smile forever!
- Because no one wants to experience the pain of an abscess, gum disease, or infection spreading throughout their body.
You should know what a root canal is, and understand the process before you decide if you need one.
A root canal is a treatment for damaged or infected teeth. The first step in this procedure is to remove the pulp (soft tissue) from the tooth. Then, your dentist will fill the inside of your tooth with a material that will help it heal and prevent infection from spreading deeper into your jawbone or other parts of your body.
A root canal can be helpful if you’re experiencing pain or sensitivity when biting down on foods, drinking hot liquids or cold beverages, chewing gum or mints–even just breathing through your mouth! If you have any of these symptoms in one or more teeth, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible so we can determine whether or not you need a root canal.
It’s important that you know what kind of treatment options are available before deciding whether or not this type is right for you.
Conclusion
Having a root canal is one of the best ways to save your tooth and keep it healthy. If you’re not sure if you need one, talk with your dentist about what treatment options are available for you.
Can a General Dentist do a Root Canal?
Yes, but with limitations. A general dentist will be able to perform a root canal, but they may not be able to do it without being supervised by an endodontist. This is because the procedure requires advanced knowledge of the anatomy of the tooth and its surrounding area, and it also requires specialized training to ensure that all parts of the tooth are successfully treated.
What Are the Benefits of a Root Canal?
Root canals are done to save teeth that have been damaged by decay or infection. They allow you to keep your natural tooth rather than having it removed and replaced with a dental implant or another prosthesis.
Are Root Canals Expensive?
Root canals aren’t cheap—they’re usually one of the most expensive procedures you can get at the dentist’s office—but often they’re cheaper than having your tooth extracted and replaced with an implant or bridge.
