Pull a tooth or save it? The easy and correct answer is to save it, if possible. At Dr. Ilya Freyman's Longwood FL office, patients may undergo root canal therapy, a restorative procedure that works wonders. If your Longwood FL Dentist says, "You need a root canal," by all means, go for it.

What is a root canal, and why would you need it?

A root canal is a nickname for endodontic therapy during which your dentist accesses and removes soft tissue from the slender passages in your tooth roots. These chambers contain tiny nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

Healthline reports that the number of root canals in a single tooth depends on its size and position. Front teeth have one to two canals while a large molar in the back of the mouth may have four.

When damaged by a blow to the mouth, infection, or decay, the interior soft tissue experiences symptoms such as inflammation and throbbing pain. Also, you may have pimples or pus on your gums, a noticeable crack, or discolored tooth enamel. A visual inspection and X-rays tell your Longwood FL Dentist if he can save the tooth or just extract it.

Other reasons for root canal therapy are:

• Tooth impaction (encased in bone or gums)
• Deep decay
• Weak structure or improper size and shape

Quick and painless

Most people think root canal therapy is painful, but honestly, it's just like getting a big filling. After looking at your tooth and X-raying it, Dr. Freyman gives you some local anesthetic. Also, he installs a dam to keep tooth material from infiltrating your mouth and throat.

The procedure involves opening each canal, cleaning out the diseased pulp, adding antibiotic medication, and filling it with gutta-percha, a biocompatible sealant. She covers the tooth with a temporary filling or crown. Healing takes about a week after which you'll return to the office for placement of a permanent ceramic crown.

Giving teeth a second chance

Root canal therapy spares 15 million teeth in the US alone, says the American Association of Endodontists. Most of these teeth will survive many years, keeping smiles intact and bright.

If you're concerned about the health or strength of a tooth, or if you're in pain, call Dr. Ilya Freyman in his Longwood FL office. He'll evaluate that tooth and promptly treat it. You may need a root canal! Contact us at (407) 260-0224.