Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is never top of mind until your dentist tells you treatment is needed. Root canals are tiny passageways that travel from behind the top of your tooth to the tip and are significant to your overall dental health. Teeth contain one to four root canals, and if any become infected or impacted by trauma, they can cause an enormous amount of pain. Most commonly, an accumulation of bacteria can cause a need for root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy is historically a newer practice, as infected teeth needed to be extracted in the past. Luckily today, root canal therapy allows our team to remove the diseased tissue and save the affected tooth. This treatment has a high rate of success, stopping the spread of infection and restoring the health of your teeth.
Signs That You May Need Root Canal Therapy
When an infection occurs in your mouth, it may affect the root canal. The infection can spread to the inner chamber of the tooth, called the pulp. This pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues. Problems in the inner tooth can cause various symptoms that include:
- Severe tooth pain when chewing or biting down
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity to cold or warm temperatures
- Swelling around the infected tooth
- Small pockets of pus around the tooth
- Discoloration of the tooth
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact Tower Dental Associates immediately to schedule an appointment.
Root Canal Therapy Procedure
Root canal therapy varies in length and can take between one and three visits. During the first visit, one of our doctors will drill a small hole through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber. We will then remove the diseased tissue and clean and disinfect. The root canals are then reshaped. An elastic material and medication fill the chambers to prevent infection.
Typically, root canal therapy is painless and creates minimal discomfort.
What To Expect After Root Canal Therapy
A follow-up appointment will take place after your procedure to remove the temporary filling in your tooth’s canal. The dentist will put a crown on the tooth or use regular filling for protection. This will ensure complete and healthy recovery of the infected tooth. Your mouth may feel sensitive a few days after the treatment, but this is normal. This restored tooth typically lasts a lifetime with proper dental care!
To ensure that you won’t need to go through this procedure again, practice good dental habits! Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist often will prevent infection in your teeth! These preventative measures will increase the longevity and maintain the health of your smile.
Root Canal Therapy With Tower Dental Associates
Our team of professional and experienced dental associates are trained to determine whether or not you need root canal therapy. If you are unsure, please contact us to schedule a consultation. We can determine if this treatment is right for you!
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