For many people, a root canal is a disconcerting dental procedure. Even people who have no idea what a root canal is or what it involves worry about the thought of undergoing one. While a root canal is not ever going to be fun, the idea that they are extremely traumatic has been exaggerated. Your Greenfield dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, discuss the purpose and procedure behind root canals and why they are often the best treatment option.
The Purpose of a Root Canal
Root canals treat infections within the interior of a tooth. Inside a tooth’s canal is soft nerve tissue called the dental pulp, and it contains a number of tiny tubes that provide nutrition and remove waste. Should harmful bacteria invade the pulp, the tooth will become infected, leading to a buildup of pressure. As the pressure grows, the tooth begins to ache. Eventually, without any treatment, the tooth will die and extraction will be required. A root canal will clean out the infection and relieve the pain.