Root canals remove infected or damaged pulp from inside your tooth. A root canal is a simple and effective dental treatment because removing the pulp stops the infection from spreading and preserves your tooth.

Each one of your teeth has a pulp: a soft center made up of nerves, blood vessels, and other tissue. Sometimes, this pulp gets infected or damaged. It can put your whole tooth at risk if it’s left untreated.

During a root canal procedure, Dr. Hwang cleans out the pulp and all signs of infection. She seals the hollow root canal to stop the infection from developing again. As a result, you’re able to keep your smile intact.

Healthy pulp is sealed inside your teeth, but injury, infection, or repeated dental procedures can expose it to bacteria. Bacteria and damage can cause the pulp to break down and die inside your tooth, causing symptoms like:

• Abscesses
• Bone loss around the tooth
• Tooth discoloration
• Tooth pain
• Sensitivity
• Swelling

If you have an infected or damaged tooth, Dr. Hwang could recommend a root canal. Removing the damaged pulp protects your tooth, reducing the likelihood that you’ll need to have the tooth pulled.

Root canals generally take one office visit. The team begins by injecting a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. They then thoroughly clean your tooth.

Dr. Hwang makes a small hole in your tooth and removes the pulp and infection. She can put antibiotic medication into the canal to treat the infection. She then seals the tooth to prevent bacteria from re-entering.

Many people assume that root canals are painful, complicated procedures. They’re often surprised to learn that the pain of an infected tooth is far worse than the root canal procedure.

You can return to your usual activities within a day of having a root canal. Your tooth might be sensitive for a few days, but your symptoms should go away quickly.

If you need a root canal, trust Dr. Hwang and the team at Smile for Miles Dental. Call the office today or schedule a root canal consultation online.