Root canal is a common dental procedure with a reputation that precedes it. Unfortunately that reputation is usually a bad one. Most people believe a root canal is painful. But Dr. Louis Olberding wants you to know the truth—root canal therapy in Lincoln will eliminate the pain caused by an infected tooth and may even help you avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of tooth extraction.
Why Is a Root Canal Needed?
Under healthy conditions, your tooth is a small fortress. On the outside is enamel, a hard substance that gives each tooth a gleaming shine. Then there is dentin, the softer and more porous center layer that is made up of microscopic tubules. Finally, at the core of a tooth is the pulp chamber. Here is where you’ll find nerve, blood and lymph tissues that bring nutrients to the tooth and carry away toxins through the root canals.
This fortress, however, is not completely impenetrable. Untreated tooth decay, a deep crack or any other type of structural damage can give bacteria in your mouth an entrance to the pulp chamber and attached root canals. When this happens, infection is likely to begin and root canal therapy in Lincoln is the treatment that’s needed.
Symptoms of Tooth Infection
As this bacterial infection grows, the most common symptom is severe pain. Other signs and symptoms that are sometimes present include:
- A sore on gum tissue near the infected tooth
- Increased pain when you bite down on the tooth
- Facial swelling
- Fever
- An x-ray that shows an abscess
When these symptoms are present, a root canal is the dental procedure that removes the infection and preserves the remaining tooth structure.
Root Canal Step-by-Step
Once you are comfortable and the tooth and surrounding gum tissue are anesthetized, Dr. Olberding drills a small hole. Then, using special instruments, he removes the infection from inside the pulp chamber and root canals. The hollow space is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Then, an inert substance called gutta-percha is inserted to prevent recontamination and support the tooth. Dr. Olberding fills the tooth and prepares it for a dental crown.
A course of antibiotics may also be necessary to ensure that the infection is completely gone. In a couple of weeks, you’ll return to the dental office of Lincoln dentist Dr. Olberding to have the crown placed.
For Root Canal Therapy in Lincoln Call Our Office Today
If you are experiencing any tooth pain, then don’t wait to see Dr. Olberding. With a root canal, we can save eliminate the painful infection and restore your tooth’s form and function.