How Root Canals and Crowns Save Teeth

When you hear the term “root canal,” your first reaction is probably not to jump for joy. If you stop to think about it, though, you should be grateful that your dentist wants to preserve your tooth in a quick, painless manner.

The alternative to a root canal is to extract the tooth, which brings other negative consequences; so a root canal is more appealing than it may sound at first. In fact, it’s designed to save your tooth and relieve your pain, which is why you went to the dentist to begin with.

Dr. Nabila Mannan at Rainbow Dental, PC, is committed to reducing discomfort and anxiety throughout a root canal and crown procedure. Here’s how the process works, and how your tooth can be saved. 

What is a root canal?

When a tooth becomes infected or decayed on the inside, it must be treated. Whether the infection came from an injury, a crack in your tooth, a faulty crown, or repeated cavities and treatments, the infection is causing your tooth to grow weaker, and it must be treated so it can be saved. 

During a root canal, your dentist simply cleans out the infected pulp and the nerve from the inside of your tooth and replaces it with a filling material called gutta percha. The dentist then prepares your tooth for a crown, which will strengthen and protect your tooth, as well as can improve its appearance. Your crown is usually installed at the next appointment.

Why is it necessary?

If you have a choice between a root canal to save your tooth or an extraction to remove it, you should always choose to save your tooth. If your tooth is extracted, it can create a chain of additional problems: tooth loss can lead to bone loss, which can cause your neighboring teeth to shift their positions. This, in turn, can change your bite and your appearance while still causing you pain.

Even if you replace the tooth with a denture, bridge, or implant, an artificial tooth will never function as well as your natural tooth. You should do everything possible to save your tooth.

What should I expect?

During your appointment, Dr. Mannan will use local anesthetic to reduce the discomfort and anxiety you may be feeling. Once the anesthetic is in full effect, she will drill into your tooth to create an opening and then remove the infected material before cleaning the inside of the tooth, sealing it with a filling, and preparing it for a crown.

If you need a root canal, our expert team at Rainbow Dental is happy to help. Just call our office or use our convenient online scheduler to book an appointment, and you’ll be one step closer to relieving your pain and getting your life back to normal!