Historically, root canals have gotten a bad rap, but the good news is that advances in dental technology have made it much less painful and "scary," with more than a 95% success rate.

When a tooth becomes infected or abscessed, severely decayed or injured, or a nerve is damaged, you may need a root canal. Symptoms of infection include:

• Painful chewing
• Heat/cold sensitivity
• Tooth discoloration
• Gum swelling, tenderness
• Or no symptoms; only a dental exam will discover it

Left untreated, a root canal infection can cause swelling in the face or neck, tooth loss, and infection draining into the gums, cheek, skin and even into your bloodstream. The only alternative to a root canal is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant, or partial denture which can be far more expensive and time-consuming than a root canal. MyDentist can help you determine the best way to save your tooth and your smile.