

Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary yellow layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pink pulp that is commonly referred to as the nerve of the tooth. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the tooth susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth that causes severe pain. If you see our office in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth can be saved with root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy is performed to save your tooth and get you out of pain.
Not with today's advanced analgesics and technology. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable that many patients actually doze off. Often, root canal therapy can be completed in a single appointment.
We simply clean out the diseased tissues inside the tooth, fill it with a biologically-inert substance, and seal it from further infection. A few weeks later, we place a crown on the tooth for final protection and long-term maintenance. While some patients experience post-procedural soreness or slight tissue inflammation, these are controllable with over-the-counter medications. Follow-up care involves thorough home hygiene and regular dental visits for cleanings and checkups.
Some of these things can happen because of a new cavity that has gotten too big and close to the nerve. Sometimes the pulp can die because a tooth has had repeated fillings or dental work and cannot take it anymore. Even a tooth that was never a problem in the past can act up and need a root canal treatment.
Your tooth will probably hurt if it needs a root canal. Or, you may not notice that anything is happening because the damage is being done under your bone and gums. Just because there is no pain doesn’t mean that everything is okay! With regular checkups and X-rays, we can keep an eye on things and make sure problems don’t surprise you.
For persistent dental pain, call our Merrimack dental office today to reserve an appointment for yourself or a loved one. Patients in the Merrimack, Nashua, Bedford, Hollis, Hudson, and Amherst areas rely on Dr. Shetty for high-quality dental care and a lifetime of healthy smiles.