Root Canal Specialist

What is a root canal?

A root canal, also known as root canal therapy, is a way to treat infected or inflamed pulp. The pulp is soft tissue deep inside your tooth that can become infected by bacteria, disease, or a traumatic injury.

An untreated pulp infection can lead to pain, tooth abscesses, and, sometimes, the spread of the infection to other parts of the body.

Root canals eliminate infection, prevent reinfection, and save your damaged tooth. 

What do root canals entail? 

Gentle Touch Dental PC employs a simplified root canal therapy procedure that uses the latest technologies and minimizes your discomfort. Root canals require a few steps, including:

Preparation

First, the practice takes X-rays of the affected tooth. Then, they inject the area with a local anesthetic.

Next, they keep the area clean and free from saliva by placing a sterile, protective sheet over the area.

Opening and cleaning the tooth

Next, the practice opens the crown of your tooth and reaches in with tiny files. They use these files to remove damaged nerve tissue, pulp, and bacteria, as well as any decay they find.

They then clean and sterilize your tooth. 

Filling the tooth

If your tooth needs it, the practice next shapes the inner canals of your tooth before filling it. After it’s clean and prepped, they fill the canal with a rubber-like, biocompatible filling material, like gutta-percha, and then they temporarily seal the tooth.

Finishing the tooth

Finally, you return about a week later, and the practice removes the temporary filling and replaces it with a permanent one. They then top the filling with a porcelain or metal crown to protect it. 

After treatment, expect your tooth to be sensitive until the inflammation goes down and your tooth fully heals.

Who needs a root canal?

Root canals are for people who are suffering from a painfully inflamed or infected root in their tooth. 

Symptoms of conditions that may require root canal therapy include:

• Pimple on the gums
• Extreme pain while biting or chewing
• A cracked or chipped or tooth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers even after the trigger is gone
• Swollen, tender gums
• Deep decay 
• Darkening of the gums

A root canal may also be a good choice for you if a tooth injury or faulty crown has led to an infection.

If you think you may need a root canal, but you’re nervous, you can set your mind at ease. Modern root canals aren’t the monstrous procedures of the past that scared generations of dental patients. Instead, they’re now fairly comfortable, especially with anesthesia.

Don’t let dental fear hold you back. If you suspect that your tooth pain is coming from inflammation or infection, call Gentle Touch Dental PC or book an evaluation online today.