1011 Bel Air Lane NW, Rochester, Minnesota 55901Phone 507-288-1188

Root Canal Therapy

Nowadays Even Badly Decayed or Infected Teeth Can Be Saved

Painful Pulp
Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels that travel from the crown down through the roots in canals. These infamous root canals provide a means for the tooth to absorb nutrients and provide sensation. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth. This can cause severe pain and swelling and may initiate bone degeneration with subsequent tooth loss. If you see a dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth may be saved with root canal therapy. Otherwise, it may need to be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic.

Easy Does It 
Will root canal therapy hurt? Not with today’s advanced anesthetics and technology. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable that many patients doze off. Root canal therapy can usually be completed in a single appointment. We simply clean out and sterilize the diseased canals, then fill them with a biologically-inert substance which seals the tooth from further infection. Oftentimes, a crown is also required to maintain the seal and return the tooth to full strength and beauty. Follow-up care involves thorough home hygiene and regular dental visits for cleanings and checkups.

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