Root Canals
Root Canals in Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect, IL
At Dr. Kakos’ Office we also treat pathology of the pulp and periapical tissues of teeth. Typically treatment involves root canal therapy.
Treatment is usually done by one of our General Dentists or the Endodontist Dr. Jonathan Wong who is specialized in diagnosing and treating problems associated with the inside of the tooth.
Cases We Treat
Dr. Wong is skilled to treat a variety of root canal cases and retreatment cases. He also performs:
- Endodontic surgeries
- Vital tooth therapy (removing the inflamed tissue while preserving the non-inflamed tissue)
- Regenerative therapy (tooth development in the absence of healthy pulp tissue)
Root Canal Overview
When the pulp (soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue) is diseased or injured and cannot repair itself, it dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can let bacteria enter the pulp, causing an infection inside the tooth. Harbored bacteria within the tooth multiply, causing pain or even an abscess. Signs and symptoms may include swelling around your face and neck, toothache or tooth pain, gum swelling, and temperature sensitivity.
Root canal therapy basically involves removing the content of the dental pulp space, the pulp chamber and canals within the tooth.
After root canal therapy, teeth are typically more brittle and need to be protected from future damage. Dr. Kakos and his associates restore the root canal teeth placing a filling or post and core and a crown. The complexity of the restoration depends on the location of the tooth and the amount of tooth structure that is missing.
The alternative to the root canal procedure is to have the tooth removed and replaced with an implant or bridge.
To prevent tooth infection, excessive decay or any other problems that may lead to root canal therapy, keep up with your daily oral hygiene and see us as often as we recommend for regular check-ups.
Contact Our Office with Any Questions or Concerns
If you’ve been noticing soreness, pain, or anything else making your teeth and mouth uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule an appointment. Reach out to our office by calling 847-758-0100 at your earliest convenience!