Root Canals in San Antonio
Root canals are performed when a cavity has spread to the inner portion (pulp) of a tooth. The tooth pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels, and it can be extremely painful when these become infected. If untreated, infections of the inner tooth can spread and lead to an abscess, tooth rot, and eventually tooth loss. Root canals allow us to not only remove the decayed enamel, but also the infected pulp, and ideally save the tooth from requiring extraction.
FAQs about Root Canals
Why do I need a crown with my root canal?
Root canals involve removing any infected enamel and pulp, disinfecting the remaining tooth, and sealing off the tooth with a crown. Dental crowns essentially function as protective caps, and provide a strong and durable structure to a tooth that has received a root canal. The pain and infection will be gone, leaving you with your original tooth, covered in a sturdy crown.
Are root canals painful?
Although infections of the tooth pulp are often quite painful, root canals should not be any more painful than a typical filling. For patients who are still nervous about having a root canal, we offer oral sedation options that can help promote relaxation throughout the procedure.