{"id":712,"date":"2016-05-18T09:32:33","date_gmt":"2016-05-18T13:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.drwolnik.com\/blog\/?p=712"},"modified":"2016-08-06T17:43:08","modified_gmt":"2016-08-06T21:43:08","slug":"getting-root-root-canal-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drwolnik.com\/blog\/getting-root-root-canal-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting to the Root of Root Canal Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"4.1.1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Root canal<\/em>. Two words that historically strike fear in the hearts of most dental patients. But that shouldn\u2019t be the case any longer. Modern dental tools and technology have made root canal surgery quick, nearly painless, and well, almost root-ine.<\/p>\n

What Is Root Canal Surgery?<\/h2>\n

When people talk about \u201croot canals,\u201d they\u2019re really talking about a root canal surgery<\/em> or treatment. A tooth\u2019s root canal is the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The canal holds the tooth\u2019s nerve, along with the soft, spongy pulp that fills the center of the tooth.<\/p>\n

Root canal surgery, or treatment, is required to save a tooth that has badly decayed or become infected. When a tooth\u2019s nerve tissue or pulp is damaged (usually due to deep decay, injury, repeated dental procedures on a single tooth, or a large filling) it breaks down, allowing bacteria to multiply inside the tooth. The bacteria may cause an abscess to form past the roots of the tooth, and can result in swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head or even bone loss around the tip of the root.<\/p>\n

What Are the Signs You Might Need It?<\/h2>\n

Occasionally, patients don\u2019t even know they need root canal treatment<\/a> \u2013 they have no symptoms, and they\u2019re surprised to learn they need the procedure. However, most patients experience one or more of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n