Root Canals
Although they have a bad reputation, root canal therapy can remove pain and save a tooth that has become severely infected or decayed. When diagnosis indicates the need for a root canal treatment, our first priority is our patients’ peace of mind.
Signs and Symptoms You May Need a Root Canal
- Spontaneous pain even when you’re not eating or drinking
- Pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night
- Toothache that worsens when pressure is applied or when eating
- Darkening or discoloration of a tooth
- Recurring swelling of the gums
- Tenderness in the gums
- Extreme sensitivity to cold or heat
gnoring these signs or symptoms can be detrimental to your oral health, and may lead to further complications including increased pain or an abscessed tooth.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A root canal is generally performed in one to two visits. Our pre-treatment preparation ensures that both the tooth and the affected area are fully anesthetized for the entire procedure. In most cases, once the tooth is repaired we recommend protecting it with a porcelain crown to prevent fracture.
After full anesthesia is achieved, treatment will be completed in either one or two appointments based on the health of the pulpal tissue. If your tooth was severely infected, we may opt to place a medication inside the tooth for one or two weeks before completing the root canal to effectively decontaminate the area. A temporary filling will be used in between treatments.
Once the tooth is disinfected an inert material is flowed into the tooth to seal it from future bacteria. It’s important to remember that teeth with root canals have a higher percentage of fracture and may require a crown for a lasting restoration.