Root Canals

When the root of a tooth suffers damage through trauma, decay, or infection, it can start to die which is a very painful process.  A dying tooth can also be very sensitive to both pressure and temperature.  In the advanced stages of decay, this can result in an abscessed tooth with a large area of inflammation and discoloration. In this case, removing the tooth isn’t always the best option because it can cause significant dental problems in the future.  A root canal is a way to preserve a tooth.  The dentists will kill the infection in the root of the tooth and pack it with an innate material called gutta-percha.    

When facing infection and decay into the root of your tooth, you can choose to have the tooth removed or you can save the tooth through a root canal.  Dentists always recommend keeping and preserving your teeth rather than losing them if at all possible. 

Consider the costs of losing teeth:

  • It affects nearby teeth which will lean or move to fill the space.
  • Nearby teeth will begin to suffer bone loss.
  • It will change your bite.
  • Science shows that the more teeth you have, the longer you will live. 

These are the reasons for a root canal:

  • Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
    • Development of infection or abscess inside the tooth or at the root tip
    • Trauma or injury to the tooth

The benefits of root canal therapy are as follows:

  • This restoration will usually last a lifetime.  (In rare cases, it is possible for a new separate infection to arise but even the best endodontist may need to occasionally retreat a root canal). 
  • It will restore full functionality to your tooth.
  • Doctor Strobel guarantees his work.  
Rexburg Root Canal