Do you have a tooth ache or pain that lingers, especially when eating and drinking hot foods/liquids? Do you feel that your dental hygiene habits are not as great as they could be? There may be a chance that you are suffering from a decaying tooth root, which needs to be repaired with a root canal as soon as possible.
The San Antonio dental professionals at Cosmetic Dentistry of San Antonio are always on the lookout for your oral health. Whether you’re in for a dental cleaning and examination or for cosmetic dentistry work, San Antonio dentist Dr. Edward Camacho and his staff are ready to protect and enhance the health and beauty of your smile. With over thirty-years of experience in San Antonio dentistry, and many happy patients, Dr. Camacho is your best choice for a root canal or any dentistry procedure.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a restorative dentistry procedure whereby the diseased nerve tissue from the interior of a tooth, caused by poor dental hygiene, is removed. Your San Antonio dentist can help you prevent the spread of this root infection by removing it from the inflicted area, and suggesting new dental hygiene techniques to improve your overall oral health.
Teeth consist of three main components: a hard protective shell known as enamel, a softer and sensitive middle layer usually referred to as dentin, and a soft tissue inner layer that dentists refer to as dental pulp. Dental pulp is made up of nerve tissue, blood vessels – the vital part of a tooth. When dental pulp is sufficiently traumatized, either by exposure to oral bacteria through deep dental cavities, a fracture that enters the pulp or trauma to the teeth from an accident, the tooth begins to die. A root canal will most likely be required to eliminate infection and prevent the possibility of losing it.
Signs that the nerve may be damaged
These are signs that might indicate you have a diseased or infected nerve that might require a root canal and potential replacement like a dental implant or dental bridge. Dr. Camacho, your San Antonio dentist, will always try to save the natural tooth whenever possible, but unfortunately if the problem is not caught early on; it may not be an option.
- Minimal to severe pain
- Discoloration
- Surrounding gum tissue that is swollen or appears to have a “blister”
- Signs of infection visible on an x-ray
Typically, Dr. Camacho will recommend a root canal procedure in such situations to try and save the affected part of your smile and preserve its functionality. Teeth that have had root canals require a dental crown to protect them from fracture. Once the nerve is removed the tooth can become brittle. The dental crown will protect the tooth and it will function just like a normal tooth. Dr. Camacho has done thousands of root canals and is very skilled in treating teeth that have had trauma to the nerve from any number of causes.
