Root Canals

Our teeth receive their vitality from the pulp, which contains a tooth’s blood vessels and nerves. If the pulp becomes irritated either from bacteria, trauma, or a foreign substance, the pulp can release an inflammatory cascade that may cause a toothache. A toothache can present itself in various forms. One could have painful sensitivity to cold or heat or spontaneous throbbing and pain. Another scenario would be for a fractured tooth, which often presents itself with pain when chewing. In all cases, a root canal is often indicated. The treatment begins with accessing the tooth and reaching the pulp. The pulp extends down into the roots through canal spaces. By removing the tooth’s pulp tissue, we can control pain, infection, while preserving the tooth itself and its adjacent anatomy.

Vital Root Canal Therapy

Under specific circumstances, a root canal may be avoided. In this manner, we can either remove damaged pulp tissue, disinfect the site, and place medication within the pulp or on top of the pulp. This medication is commonly called bioceramics. Bioceramics have been used in many areas of medicine and is extremely biocompatible with our bodies. Over time, we can delay or altogether avoid a root canal and thus maintain the vitality of the tooth.

Oral Surgery

When an infection ensues from a decayed, cracked, or failed filling on a tooth, not only may we experience pain, but the surrounding bone and potentially neighboring teeth may become compromised, and thus we must consider extracting the tooth in question. When we pull a tooth, we are removing the source of pain and infection and therefore allowing the site to heal. There are cases where infection is not the concern, but instead a tooth cannot be restored or a tooth is not functional and even causing concerns with one’s bite, gums, or neighboring teeth. Though removing a tooth is quite a reserved choice, it is often the best treatment indicated and there are great alternatives to replace the extracted tooth.