Chicago Root Canals

Root canal therapy, or a “root canal” for short, is a procedure used to restore teeth that have become infected. Teeth become infected when an oral injury or tooth decay destroys the outer layers of enamel and dentin, exposing the pulp inside your tooth to oral bacteria.
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The pulp is full of nerves and blood vessels that support your tooth. As bacteria infect your pulp, it will begin to deteriorate and die. This will eventually result in the death of the tooth.
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However, a root canal can be used to halt this process. By opening up a hole in the tooth, Dr. Kapil Kella can extract decayed and damaged material. Then, the tooth will be flushed, filled, and capped with a filling or a crown to prevent further damage.

A serious toothache that lasts more than 1-2 days is the most common sign that you have an infected tooth. Your tooth may also feel more sensitive to heat and cold, and to the pressure of chewing and biting.
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In addition, you may notice inflammation and discoloration of the gum tissue near the affected tooth. In severe cases, the tooth itself may look discolored, grayish, or “bruised.”

The process takes only a single appointment at Lakeshore Dental Studio. Dr. Kapil Kella will begin by numbing and cleaning the treatment area and isolating the infected tooth with a rubber dental dam to prevent the spread of bacteria throughout your mouth.
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Once your mouth is numb, he will use a dental drill to create a small opening in the tooth. Next, he will extract all of the decayed and damaged pulp with dental tools. The tooth will be flushed with disinfectant to destroy any remaining bacteria. Then, Dr. Kella will fill the tooth with an inert, rubbery material, and restore it with a filling or a crown.