Root Canals
Serving Bethesda, Clarksville
and the Greater Maryland area
Endodontics is the discipline of dentistry that treats the inner portion or pulp of the tooth.
About tooth pulp
Located in the center of the tooth beneath the outer layers of enamel and dentin, the tooth pulp is made up of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves.
How tooth pulp is damaged
Most damage to the tooth pulp is the result of untreated cavities, in which decay in the enamel and dentin spreads to the tooth pulp. Once decay has reached the tooth pulp, it can be extremely painful. Large restorations, cracked teeth and trauma are also reasons a pulp may be damaged.
Endodontics, or root canal therapy
Fortunately, however, endodontic procedures such as root canals can effectively treat this condition, frequently allowing the root to be repaired and the visible portion of the tooth restored with a porcelain crown or similar technique.
Root canal therapy is a procedure in which diseased or otherwise damaged tooth pulp deep in the tooth root is carefully removed and replaced with inert dental fillers. This procedure allows us to retain even severely damaged teeth that would have otherwise been lost entirely.
Prevention and early detection
The best way to prevent tooth loss, of course, is to maintain the good health of your teeth and treat any incipient problems as they arise. In most cases, regular dental checkups and immediate treatment of cavities will prevent any damage to the tooth pulp.
In some cases, however, a cavity may progress rapidly and can spread to the pulp before you've detected the problem. If this has happened to you, it is important that you seek out a dental care as soon as possible. In many cases, a timely root canal can save a tooth that would otherwise be lost entirely.
Learn more
To learn more about root canal therapy and to schedule a personal consultation with our dentists, call or email us today.
