Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and in some cases, your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. While this procedure can sound scary, it is a common procedure to save teeth. If you would like to know more, keep reading.

Who Needs a Root Canal Procedure?  

You need a root canal procedure if you get a tooth infection, which attacks the pulp of the tooth. You can get an extraction as an alternative, but root canal treatment saves the tooth. Even if there is no infection, your dentist may recommend a root canal procedure for severely damaged teeth to prevent future complications.

Similarly, they may recommend a root canal procedure if the tooth has experienced a lot of trauma from previous dental work. Finally, if the pulp died for any reason, such as getting hit with a football, you may need a root canal procedure to prevent an infection.

What Is a Root Canal Procedure?

When you have a cavity, the dentist removes all affected tooth tissue and replaces it with a filling. However, during a root canal procedure, the entire tooth's pulp is removed, including blood vessels and nerves.

Much of the pulp sits inside the pulp cavity of the crown. However, it also runs down each root to connect to the rest of the nerve system. The dentist inserts small files into the roots to fully remove all the living tissue. Once all pulp tissue is gone (and any infection), the tooth is closed with a permanent filling.

Who Performs a Root Canal Procedure? 

Your regular dentist may perform root canal procedures, but if your dentist doesn't have special training and tools, they may send you to an endodontist, who specializes in the tooth's pulp. Endodontists don't do much more than performing root canal procedures, so they have the skill to safely remove all pulp tissue.

They also have the tools, such as a special magnifying tool, which makes it easier to see the tooth roots. This is important because if any pulp tissue is left behind, an infection may develop or reoccur.

How Much Does a Root Canal Procedure Cost?

A root canal costs about $300 to $2,000 depending on the tooth. The more roots, the higher the cost, so molars are usually more expensive. However, your insurance may cover some of the cost. Most likely, your dentist will recommend a crown after root canal therapy, which increases the price.

Root canal treatment is a great way to save teeth, especially infected teeth. If your dentist has recommended root canal treatment, it's a good idea to follow their advice. If you would like to know more, contact a dentist in your area today.

To learn more about root canals, contact a company like High Point Smile Dentistry.