A root canal is the central cavity of a tooth that houses the dental pulp. The dental pulp consists of nerves and blood vessels, which help in the growth and development of the tooth. A root canal infection is one of the most common oral issues that individuals face, caused by the microbial activity in the mouth. If left untreated for long, it can cause a lot of severe symptoms and severely affect your oral health.

What Causes a Root Canal Infection?

• The microbes in the mouth erode the enamel and cause cavities. When a cavity is allowed to grow for a long time without being treated, it can advance to a deeper level and infect the dental pulp. 
• Biting and chewing hard foods can crack or damage the teeth, allowing microbes to enter the root canal cavity, thereby causing an infection. Microbes can cause cavities, gum disease, etc.
• External trauma that causes chipping or cracking of teeth can expose the pulp to microbes in the mouth. If those who have had root canal therapy earlier broke their teeth due to external trauma,  root canal reinfection might occur. 

How Is a Root Canal Infection Treated?

A root canal infection is treated by removing the infected dental pulp and cleaning out the infected tissues from the cavity. A root canal therapy allows you to keep your tooth intact as it not only removes only a small portion of your tooth's enamel and a central cavity but also prevents the extraction of that tooth. During this procedure, we will administer local anesthesia so that you do not feel any pain or discomfort during it. Our dentist in Portland OR will make a small hole in your tooth using a drill to access the root canal cavity and remove the infected pulp. Next, we will clean out the infected tissues from the cavity using ultrasonic scaling devices and irrigate it with disinfectants to get rid of bacteria completely. After this, we will cover it with filling material and bond it with your natural tooth using adhesives as restoration.

How Long Does a Root Canal Treatment Last?

A tooth treated with a root canal treatment will last for several years without any hassle or discomfort. Most individuals who have undergone this procedure claim that their treated teeth are stronger than their untreated ones.

What Are Its Advantages?

• A root canal therapy helps save your natural tooth from extraction since we will save it from being extracted due to decay or infection by removing only a small portion of your tooth's structure.
• The procedure helps preserve your facial structure as any other type of treatment would have required extraction of your tooth and dentures as a means of replacement.
• With proper oral hygiene practices, proper nutrition, and regular dental checkups at our office, we ensure that you do not experience reinfection of your treated tooth in the future.