Root Canal
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Halls Family Dentistry
General Dentist located in Knoxville, TN
While they may have a bad reputation, root canal treatments can save a damaged or diseased tooth from extraction. At Halls Family Dentistry in Knoxville, Tennessee, dentist Linda Huang, DDS, strives to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. That’s why she offers root canal procedures to maintain the healthy chompers that make up your smile. If you have a toothache that may require a root canal, call or click online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Linda today.
Root Canal Q & A
What is a root canal?
The term, “root canal” refers both to an area inside your tooth and the dental procedure that involves cleaning and disinfecting that same area.
The root canal is an area inside your tooth that contains the tooth's nerves and soft tissue called pulp. If decay or trauma causes damage or infection to reach your tooth’s pulp, Dr. Linda may perform a root canal to clean it out.
What complications can a root canal infection cause?
Damage to your tooth’s nerve tissue causes it to break down, allowing bacteria to multiply inside the root canal. If left untreated, the dead tissue and bacteria can lead to a tooth infection or abscess.
It’s critical to treat infected or abscessed teeth before they create larger complications, such as:
- Inflammation in your face, neck, or head
- Bone loss around the root of your tooth
- Drainage from the infected tooth into your gums or skin
How do you know if you need a root canal?
It’s possible to need a root canal procedure even if you don’t have any symptoms, which is why regular dental exams are so crucial. Some common signs that you may have a tooth infection include:
- Pain when biting down
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet food and drink
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Pain and swelling
Is a root canal procedure painful?
Contrary to what you may have heard, root canal procedures are nothing to be afraid of. Advances in dental medicine make modern-day root canals a relatively easy procedure. Additionally, the procedure itself is nothing compared to the pain of an infected or abscessed tooth.
What happens during a root canal?
First, Dr. Linda numbs the area around your affected tooth with a local anesthetic. She then uses specialized tools to make a small opening in your tooth and clean out the bacteria and decayed tissue. She disinfects the tooth cavity and fills it in to prevent any further infection.
After your tooth heals from the root canal, Dr. Linda may recommend covering it with a dental crown.
If you’re looking for a compassionate family dentist who performs root canal procedures, call Halls Family Dentistry to book an appointment with Dr. Linda today.
