Getting A Root Canal From An Experienced Scranton Dentist

By Author: Bettye Primm
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Pennsylvania is known for its sinfully delicious Hershey's chocolate, which people all over the world crave and love. As yummy as this treat is, you may not get the chance to enjoy it if you have a throbbing toothache plaguing you day and night. Pain is the body's way of telling you that something is wrong, so when an unbearable toothache strikes, then it's time to visit the dentist yet again.

While many people dread going to the dentist for one reason or another, many are especially fearful of root canal procedures. However, this fear is usually caused by a limited understanding of dentistry. To remedy this, listed below is a rudimentary discussion to arm you for your next visit to a Wilkes-Barre or Scranton dentist.

Anatomy of a Tooth

There are three major parts or layers of the teeth, not considering the connective and supporting tissues (cementum and periodontal ligament). The first, the enamel, is the hard outer shell of the tooth which you see in the mirror every time you smile. This layer is made up of a hard mineral called ...
... calcium phosphate.

Underneath this is dentin, which is a layer composed of living cells that secrete a hard mineral substance. The last part is the pulp, which is sometimes called a “living inner structure” because of the nerves and blood vessels running through it. Root canal procedures focus on this layer.

How a Root Canal Works

In essence, the root canal procedure removes the pulp and nerves inside the tooth. When the pulp or nerves get damaged, this causes bacteria to multiply, which leads to infection and bone deterioration. This in turn can cause severe toothaches and swelling around the face. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the case, but usually, the abscess will be drained and the root canal performed, leaving a person with an essentially “dead” tooth that should not cause anymore problems in the future.

There is more to root canals than what has been discussed here; in any case, it's clear that you should leave this job to a trusted Scranton or Wilkes Barre dentist. You'd have to, unless you never eat another Hershey's bar again. For more information, go to webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals.