John L. Bouzis D.D.S.P.C.

Pulp Fiction

A couple of generations ago, a severely infected tooth would be removed to preserve the health of the mouth. Now we agree that saving your natural teeth is more important. One of the more common methods we use to save teeth is Root Canal Therapy.

A blow to the tooth can cause symptoms that require a RCT, or sometimes, decay progresses deep into the tooth and enters the pulp chamber. Soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves live in the pulp chamber that extends down the center of each tooth and into the tooth root or roots causing severe pain. Most people who are experiencing that level of pain just want the tooth out.

Root canal therapy has gotten a bad rap over the years because of the pain prior to treatment. Often used as a threat or a punch line, RTC is actually the best chance for saving a natural tooth. Root canal therapy saves over 15 million teeth every year according to the American Association of Endodontists. A saved tooth not only enhances a smile but increases a person’s quality of life and their ability to maintain good nutrition.

Some warning symptoms of an infected tooth:

• The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages.
• The tooth hurts when you bite or put pressure on it.
• The tooth throbs or causes severe pain.
• The area around the root tip is swollen.
• You have a bad taste in your mouth.

Of course, sometimes an infected tooth can have no noticeable outward symptoms. We can take X-rays, softly tap on the tooth, apply heat or cold and press gently on the gums to determine if the tooth is unhealthy. If the tooth is unhealthy, using new equipment, technology and materials, we can perform a root canal therapy and save your tooth.

To protect your dental health, please see us twice each year, and call us immediately if you notice anything unusual.