Root Canal Treatment San Antonio, TX

Root canal treatment (canal therapy or endodontic treatment) is necessary when a cavity is allowed to reach all the way to the pulp. Root canal involves the removal of all soft tissue from the canals in the root by use of special titanium or stainless steel files. Once cleaned and shaped the canals are disinfected and filled with an inert material. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had a root canal therapy.  Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early. Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (abscess). Once the pulp is dead (necrotic) it cannot heal on its own and needs to be treated whether pain is present or absent.

Chronic, but painless inflammation may affect the immune system, placing the overall health of the patient at risk. Symptoms that the pulp has become inflamed/infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.