Over the years, root canal therapy has obtained an undeserved reputation. People don’t realize that the procedure is comfortable and often necessary to prevent tooth loss. Why do we need root canal therapy? Turns out, when a tooth becomes infected or cracked, this is often the best route to obtaining a healthy and stable tooth.
FAQs About Why We Need Root Canal Therapy
Question: How does a tooth become infected?
Answer: Our teeth are made of several layers. The outermost is a protective layer of enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. Below is dentin, a more sensitive layer that makes up the majority of the tooth’s structure. In the center and in the root canals is the pulp, a bundle of living tissue that keeps the tooth alive and healthy. When enamel weakens and bacteria can reach the dentin, cavities form. The cavity can then spread until the bacteria come into contact with the pulp, causing an infection or possibly an abscess.
Question: Why do we need a root canal at that point?
Answer: Answer: Without treatment, the infection can cause the tooth to die. The infection can then spread to surrounding teeth and into the jawbone itself. To prevent the spread of infection and save the tooth from extraction you need an endodontic procedure. The endodontic procedure allows the doctor to remove the infected tissue, cleaning the tooth and restoring it with a filling material called gutta percha.
Question: Will the procedure be uncomfortable?
Answer: Prior to treatment the doctor will administer a local anesthetic, ensuring the procedure is comfortable. In fact, many people compare it to receiving a dental filling.
Question: How will my tooth look afterward?
Answer: The final step of the endodontic procedure is to place a crown. Made from lifelike ceramic, the crown protects the remaining structure from infection or decay. You will enjoy a newly restored tooth that looks natural.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
