Root Canal
Restore Your Oral Health with Root Canal Therapy
If you have a painful toothache that just won’t go away or you feel some tenderness and pressure around a tooth, you may have a severe infection that requires a root canal. Many people are afraid to get a root canal and may even delay treatment to avoid going through with the procedure. However, undergoing root canal therapy will prevent an infection from spreading and can ward off damage to nearby teeth.
Warning Signs You Need Root Canal
A root canal is needed when the soft tissue inside the hollow space in the teeth becomes infected. Here are some of the warning signs that you may need a root canal:
Persistent toothache
Throbbing or pain when chewing or biting down
Pain that lingers for more than 10 seconds
Swelling or pus buildup around a tooth
Tenderness and inflammation around the tooth
Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold food
Severe tooth decay that has caused an infection
How a Root Canal is Performed
You will need to start antibiotic therapy a few days before treatment to ensure the infection does not spread after treatment. The tooth will be anesthetized to prevent pain and we will use a drill to access the pulp chamber and canals around the teeth. The treatment area will be disinfected and the tooth will be sealed by filling the space with anti-bacterial materials. In some cases, a temporary filling will be placed in the space while the tooth heals. You may need to take some pain medication to manage the soreness after a root canal.
Will Getting a Root Canal Be Painful?
This is a common question among patients that have just realized they may have a serious infection. A root canal is performed under local anesthesia and we do everything we can to ensure it is a stress-free experience for the patient. The dentist will use several instruments to remove the infected pulp and clean the area before filling the tooth with material that will prevent further infection. We use innovative tools and equipment such as ultrasonic needles and water lasers to perform delicate procedures like a root canal with more accuracy. You should experience little to no discomfort during and after the procedure.
Watch the Video to See How a
Root Canal is Performed
Are There Alternatives to a Root Canal?
There are some alternatives to root canal treatment but these can be costly and require more time in the dentist’s chair. You could have the tooth removed and get a dental implant, bridge, or dentures to restore the missing teeth. These can be more costly treatments and will require several visits back to the dentist’s office.
If you do nothing, the tooth can become infected and the bone may become calcified. At that stage, it would be even more expensive to treat the infection and possibly undergo a bone graft.