About 15 million root canals are performed each year by dentists and endodontists in the United States. The last week of March is “Root Canal Awareness Week”, and we want to show you why root canals are done and how they benefit you. Learn about the root canal process, why you would need one and how it helps keep you healthier!

What is Root Canal Awareness Week?

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) established  Root Canal Awareness Week in an effort to educate the public about the benefits of modern root canal treatment and endodontists as the specialists in treating tooth pain and saving teeth.

“In a recent survey of the public, 48 percent of respondents would make an appointment to see their dentist if they experienced tooth pain. Roughly half of respondents said if they were to feel tooth pain, they would only wait between two and six days to seek treatment. Another 23 percent said they would seek treatment that same day. Clearly, most people wish to resolve tooth pain very quickly, and that’s exactly what endodontists are trained to do,” the AAE said.

Why Are Root Canals Necessary?

Root canal procedures help you avoid having a diseased tooth pulled. Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Diseased or injured teeth can undergo a root canal procedure to save them from extraction.

Root canal treatment can be necessary if a tooth nerve is severely damaged following injury or if an untreated cavity reaches all the way to the pulp of the tooth.  Once the pulp becomes infected, it threatens the health of the surrounding bone and begins to eat away at it (this is known as a tooth abscess).  

The pulp of your tooth contains many blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you know it because the pain is impossible to ignore. This condition cannot heal on its own.

Ignoring the pain from a tooth infection, or hitting it with daily doses of painkillers will not resolve your condition.  In fact, if you delay too long, the infection can spread and even damage the bone that holds the jaw. At this point, you will most likely lose the tooth entirely–don’t delay treatment.  If you are in pain, there is a reason. Call Dr. Ania to schedule an appointment.

What Does a Root Canal Do for You?

The term “root canal” refers to a couple different things: 1) the root canal itself (the passages between the pulp and tooth roots) and; 2) the procedure where the nerve and infected pulp is removed.

The root canal passages of your teeth contain nerves and blood vessels. These nerves sense heat, cold, and other stimuli. When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected, the nerve and the infected pulp are taken out the Dr. Ania thoroughly cleans/disinfects the inside canals of the tooth from bacteria/infection before sealing it. This multi-step procedure is referred to as a root canal.

What is the Root Canal Process?

Once the tooth infection is resolved from removing the bacteria, infected pulp and the nerve, the canal is filled in to prevent any further infection. Your tooth has been saved, but is no longer considered a living tooth now that the pulp, nerves and blood vessels are absent.  It can be prone to fracture and can become more brittle so to avoid breakage, the final step of a root canal is the crown placed over the tooth.

A crown will work to further protect your tooth from injury or infection.  (A crown is a rigid tooth-colored covering that is stronger than enamel that preserves the structural integrity of the tooth and prevents it from breaking.)

“If you’ve got a tooth that has been seriously weakened or damaged, a strong dental crown is a highly effective and attractive cosmetic dentistry solution. A crown, also called a “cap,” serves as protective armor for a tooth and allows you to use full biting force without worry,” reads Dr.Ania.com.

How is Laser Dentistry Used to Help with Treatment?

Laser dentistry is an incredible advancement in the field that allows Dr. Ania to use diode laser energy to deep clean and remove gum tissue that has been diseased by bacteria. Laser dentistry is just one way we use technology to improve results for our patients, and to make treatments safer and more comfortable.

Call for a Root Canal and Oral Health Consultation

If you are experiencing oral pain, it is important to act quickly. Teeth that are sending pain signals do so because something is affecting the nerve of the tooth–it is important to find out what before a small issue becomes a larger one.

While root canals have a reputation for being fearsome, new technology and tools that Dr. Ania employs will put you at ease. Call Dr. Ania’s office at 303-443-0998 for your comprehensive examination and consultation!