May 6 – 12 is Root Canal Awareness week! Root canals have a reputation as one of the most painful and invasive dental procedures, something that everything is trying to avoid. Now is the perfect time to learn about what a root canal is and how to avoid the need for a root canal.

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is the process that dentists use in order to save a tooth that has become badly infected, or is suffering from large amounts of decay. The area of infection is the soft pulp located within the centre of the tooth, which has been taken over by bacteria, due to a long overdue cavity, or injury to the tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue within your teeth, and it extends all the way from the crown at the tip of the tooth to the root where the tooth connects to the jaw. Decaying pulp can lead to an abscess within the tooth, which left untreated, can lead to pain, swelling, infected jaw bones, and the removal of the tooth.

How are Root Canals Treated?

A root canal treatment involves removing the nerve and pulp from within the inside of the tooth, and cleaning and sealing the resulting area. This serves to clear out all of the damaging bacteria that could lead to a more severe infection within the tooth, and to fortify the tooth against further decay, infection, and cavities. An important thing to note is that this process doesn’t remove the need for further upkeep and dental hygiene. A tooth that is restored by root canal treatment can last a lifetime, as long as you keep up regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits.

Where to Seek Root Canal Treatment

Now that we have demystified root canals a little bit, from painful dental nightmare to normal and beneficial treatment, there is less to be afraid of. Obviously, the best case scenario is to not require a root canal in the first place, but if you do, it’s important to seek treatment from trusted dental professionals, like the team at Plancich Dental. Contact us today if you or someone in your family is seeking a dental procedure, or dental check-up!