If tooth decay has reached the nerve in the center of the tooth, a root canal must be completed. In this procedure, the nerve is extracted from the tooth and the space is sealed and filled. Generally, we refer the patient to an endodontist (a root canal specialist) for this procedure. For your convenience, our part-time staff member Dr. Carlos Mirabel will perform this procedure on the scheduled days that he is working at our office.
There are some symptoms that may indicate that a tooth may need a root canal. A patient may present with an abscess, which appears as a pimple on the gum. Other symptoms include severe pain, swelling, tenderness, or sensitivity to hot and/or cold. In some cases, there are no symptoms at all.
In most cases, we recommend that a crown be place on a tooth that has had a root canal. A crown will seal the tooth to help prevent an infection from reoccurring and help to restore the full function of the tooth.