Root Canal Therapy
What is a root canal?
Often commonly called a “root canal,” root canal therapy is an endodontic treatment used to restore a severely decayed, injured, or infected tooth. During root canal therapy, the damaged and infected dental pulp and tooth nerve are removed. This restores the health of the tooth and alleviates the painful symptoms of tooth infection. The tooth is then filled with a medicated material and sealed with a dental crown or filling. After the root canal in Whitehall, Montana, your tooth will look and function as normal.
Do I need a root canal?
You may need a root canal if the tooth is severely infected or decayed. If injury or decay reach below the enamel of the tooth to the dental pulp, the innermost layer of the tooth, the pulp may become infected and damaged. Your tooth may be infected if you experience the following symptoms:
- A severe toothache, with tooth pain especially noticeable when biting and chewing
- A darkening or discoloration of the tooth
- Tenderness or swelling in the gums
- A recurrent or persistent pimple on the nearby gums
- Increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
