Most patients panic when they hear the words “root canal” leave their dentist’s mouth. Although this treatment is widely misconceived to be painful and scary, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not at all. Root canal therapy is a straight-forward treatment process that allows us to preserve and protect your natural tooth from needing to be extracted. Root canal therapy from your Muskegon, MI dentist also helps relieve severe pain caused by tooth infections, leaving you in much better shape than before the procedure.
Root canal therapy is used to treat a tooth infection. These occur when an untreated cavity or damage provides a path for harmful oral bacteria to enter the inner chamber of your tooth, where the pulp is hidden. Once attacked by the bacteria the nerves in your pulp will produce a persistent and painful toothache, which is the most common sign that you may need a root canal. Some other symptoms that indicate your tooth is infected include: