When you’re experiencing dental pain caused by an infection in the pulp of your tooth, it may be time for a root canal. While there’s a common misconception that root canals are painful experiences, the truth is they’re a great way to ease dental pain. A Root Canal Treatment clears the tooth of infected pulp, protecting and sealing it against future infection. Here at Dentistry Done Right, we help our patients find relief from severe dental pain caused by pulp infection with this procedure.
Many patients associate root canals with pain and discomfort.
But local anesthetics and advancements in modern dentistry have made root canals highly tolerable procedures that are often no less comfortable than getting a standard filling. Upon completion, a restored tooth that has undergone a root canal will blend in with surrounding teeth – virtually undetectable to the average eye. More than 9 out of 10 root canal procedures are successful, and most treatments last many years or even a lifetime.
Eliminating Dental Pain With Root Canal Treatments
An essential part of lasting good oral health is retaining as much of your natural dental tissue as possible. For this reason, a dentist will take every possible step to restore and protect an existing tooth before opting for an extraction. When a tooth’s interior becomes infected, the associated swelling and tenderness can become overwhelming. The infection and necrotic tissue development cause it both within the dental cavity.
A root canal treatment may begin with a course of antibiotics to eliminate the initial infection. Once this is under control, it’s time to ensure that the tooth is sterilized and protected against further infection. This multi-stage process can be completed in one or two visits. The following steps are involved:
- Diagnosis and Planning – Dr. Rhee will examine your oral cavity before the procedure. They’ll determine the infection’s location using dental imaging methods and begin the treatment planning process.
- Local Anesthesia – Root Canal Treatments are generally performed under local anesthesia. Once the anesthesia has taken hold, the treatment site will be protected using a dental dam.
- Clearing The Infection – At this stage, the tooth will be opened to provide access to the infected area. Dr. Rhee will then carefully eliminate infection, necrotic tissue, and the remaining pulp. The tooth’s interior is then sterilized and filled using gutta-percha. This substance has a rubbery consistency and serves to protect the tooth from future infection.
- Restoring The Tooth – Once the gutta-percha has been placed, a temporary seal will be put on the target tooth. This will be replaced with a permanent crown once one returns from the dental lab.
Root canals are an excellent approach to preserving the structure and integrity of your smile. By stabilizing the tooth and eliminating infection, your smile will be set to remain beautiful and healthy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for a root canal?
You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage has allowed bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. A root canal could also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible instead of extracting both the healthy and diseased portions of your tooth. For more information about root canals and whether they are right for you, schedule a dental exam and consultation at your earliest convenience.
What should I expect during my root canal treatment?
If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and potentially treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
What type of post-treatment care is required after a root canal?
It is normal for teeth to become inflamed after a root canal, potentially causing sensitivity for the first several days following treatment. However, normal brushing and flossing habits can be resumed immediately after treatment and restoration is complete.
Learn More About Root Canals with Dentistry Done Right
If you’re experiencing dental pain, it’s time to schedule your next visit to our office in Corona, CA. Dr. Rhee will complete a dental examination and determine the best treatment plan for your oral health concerns. Retaining healthy dental tissue ensures that all your teeth have the support they need to remain in position and perform their duties well. Don’t wait to address dental pain; find relief with help from Dentistry Done Right.