Root Canal

Why Dentists Do Root Canals

Root canals get a bad reputation, but their criticism is typically not warranted. Nowadays, root canals can be as comfortable as getting a tooth filled. If your dentist recommends a root canal, otherwise known as endodontics, it is for a good reason: to save your tooth. If you would benefit from a root canal, it is either because you are experiencing pain in the first place, the x-ray of the tooth shows it is infected with an abscess, or trauma to the tooth has occurred. A root canal will make things better in the long run. Ohio dentist Dr. Joseph G. Landry II can save your infected tooth with a root canal. 

A Closer Look at Tooth Pulp

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, it's likely because the pulp is infected. The pulp is found in the center of the tooth. It contains tissues and blood vessels that provide nourishment for the tooth. When the pulp is damaged from a large cavity, bacteria spread and cause an infection. Dr. Landry likes to describe the process of a root canal to patients by asking them to imagine a tooth like a writing pen, with the outside of the pen representing the tooth root and the ink cartridge inside like the pulp with the nerve and blood vessels. A root canal therapy is like when an empty ink cartridge (the dying or dead nerve) is removed and replaced with a new ink cartridge (the sterile, sealed material that is placed after the canal is disinfected). 

Why is a Root Canal Needed?

If you develop an infection, a root canal is needed to clean out the infection and should be done as soon as possible. Otherwise, you can develop the following issues:

• Inflammation that spreads outside of the mouth and throughout various parts of the body, including the neck, face or head.
• Drainage issues. The infection may create a hole, called a fistula, and the draining pus could seep into your cheeks, gums, and throat.
• Bone loss, which could lead to the extraction of the tooth

Save Your Infected Tooth with a Root Canal

Dr. Joseph G. Landry II is an Ohio dentist who is trained to comfortably perform root canal treatment in order to remove bacteria from an infected tooth, utilizing rotary endodontic instruments and state-of-the-art technology and materials. Conveniently located in Seville, Ohio at Exit 2 off Highway 76/224, Dr. Landry serves patients of all ages from Medina, Wadsworth, Westfield Center, Lodi, Creston, and other surrounding areas of Medina, Summit, and Wayne Counties. If you've suffered tooth pain for too long, get relief by calling (330) 769-4470.

www.dentistsevilleoh.com