For some time now, you’ve not been able to eat the foods that you love because you’ve been enduring tooth pain. Angry with yourself for not being as serious about your oral health as you should have been, you feel as though it may be too late to do anything about this issue. But your local dentist says that if you act now, there may be a chance to save your tooth with a root canal of Hackettstown. As you continue reading, you’ll learn more about the process and how it can help restore the proper function of your decayed tooth.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

If your dentist determines that you need a root canal, it’s because your tooth has endured decay that has surpassed the enamel, penetrated the dentin and entered the inner area of your tooth. In that sacred space is the pulp, which houses the nerves that have been giving you painful sensations when you eat. It’s because leftover food particles and bacteria, which are never supposed to get to this part of your tooth, now have direct access.

It is important to note, though, that the root canal process can only be used if you have enough material left to salvage the tooth. So if you wait too long, the only option you may have is an extraction.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal of Mount Olive is a procedure that addresses this severe decay and restores your tooth to its normal function through a series of processes:

• X-rays – Before any work is done, your endodontist of Hackettstown will take a series of X-rays or examine existing ones to locate the decay.
• Anesthesia – You will be given a local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth.
• Pulpectomy – The next step is to make an opening into the diseased tooth and remove the decayed tissue.
• Cleaning – After the pulp is removed, the area is cleaned thoroughly, ridding it of any lingering bacteria.
• Filling – The final stage is to fill the vacated area with a compound called gutta-percha and then seal the tooth with cement.

You will now be set to return to your normal functions, but it’s important that you make some changes to prevent this situation from happening again.

How to Prevent Severe Tooth Decay

There are two main ways to prevent the need for a root canal. They are:

• Excellent Oral Hygiene – When you practice excellent oral hygiene, you are ridding your mouth, teeth and gums of the bacteria that look to wreak havoc. The top two methods to accomplish this are brushing and flossing your teeth properly at least twice a day.
• Semi-Annual Dental Visits – Along with practicing excellent oral hygiene, it’s equally important to visit your dentist in Mount Olive every six months to get a thorough cleaning and meticulous examination. Therefore, if there is an issue developing, it can be corrected while it’s still in its fledgling stages.

But if you are suffering from severe tooth pain, you don’t have to endure any longer. Help is just a phone call away. The sooner you act, the quicker you can get the relief that you need so that you can return to living your life as normal.

About the Author

Dr. Zahir A. Khokhar earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. A member of the American Dental Association and several professional organizations, he offers general and preventive dentistry. Dr. Khokhar practices at Skylands Dental of New Jersey, LLC and can be reached for more information through his website.