Root Canal Treatment
All too often, our patients tell us that they’re afraid of getting a root canal treatment. But here at Ashley Family Dental these treatments are pretty much routine. If you’re worried about the pain, you’ll realize after the procedure that it’s actually painless.
Why Is a Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
To answer this question, a short anatomy lesson is in order. In the center of your tooth under the enamel is the pulp. The pulp of the tooth is made up of connective tissues, nerves, and tiny blood vessels. Any part of the pulp can get infected when germs are able to get inside through the enamel of the tooth.
So to get rid of the infection, a root canal treatment is necessary. This procedure involves taking out the infected pulp altogether so that the infection doesn’t remain in the tooth. We offer the root canal treatment to save the tooth because your natural teeth are almost always better than any replacement teeth.
If we don’t perform a root canal, the infection can persist and it can get much worse. The pain can get very severe, and eventually you’ll lose the tooth. But it won’t end there. In some cases, the damage can even extend to your jawbone as well.
What Happens During the Procedure?
When you come to us, the first thing that we do is check your teeth thoroughly. We will determine if a root canal treatment is warranted in your case.
If we have confirmed that a root canal treatment is required, we will start by first applying local anesthesia. That means you won’t feel any pain at all during the procedure. If there’s any pain this might be because of the infection, and the root canal treatment removes the infection. No infection means no more pain.
We will apply local anesthesia on the area where a root canal will be done. Once it’s numb we will begin by drilling a hole into your tooth so we can take out the pulp. Once the pulp is out, we will clean the inside of your teeth so that there aren’t any bacteria left inside which can restart the infection. We will then cover the tooth with sealant to keep the bacteria out, and we will also put a crown over the tooth for added protection.
Afterward your root canal, you may feel a bit sore in the mouth. But that’s normal in these cases, and pain medication should take care of it. Once the procedure is done you should no longer be feeling any pain but if it doesn’t go away, it may mean that some hidden germs have remained inside and further treatment may be necessary.
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
The only way to find out is to have a dentist check the condition of your teeth.
So if you notice any symptoms of infection such as temporary pain when you consume hot or cold food and beverages, it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with us. Another indicator of damaged pulp is pain when you bite down on your food.
In some cases, the pain is quite severe and it can last for longer periods of time. You may also notice that your gums in the affected area have become sensitive and swollen. This combination of symptoms also indicate an infected pulp.
Sometimes the pain may even be in your upper teeth and jaw. We can also check this out, because these are the same symptoms of a sinus headache or excessive teeth grinding. But an infected pulp could also be the culprit.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact us at Ashley Family Dental as soon as possible. We can evaluate your teeth to determine if your pulp is infected and perform a root canal treatment. Call our Ashley Family Dental office at: (847)244-0414.
