Root canal treatment has a bad reputation of being painful and scary. You’ll be relieved to learn that this is a persistent myth that you don’t have to worry about when you see Covington Dental Arts for your root canal treatment. We ensure the root canal process is as simple, comfortable, and stress-free as possible for each and every one of our patients. Root canal treatment is a very common dental procedure that can help save your natural teeth and prevent further damage down the line.
What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal treatment is a dental procedure that is used to repair and save a tooth that is infected or badly decayed. Your tooth can be infected, irritated, or inflamed as a result of deep decay, trauma to the face, chips or cracks, large filling, or repeated dental procedures on your tooth. A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the interior of the tooth, and seals it to prevent further decay.
When Is A Root Canal Required?
Root canals are required when you have an infected or abscessed tooth. In order to save your natural tooth, the injured, infected, or inflamed pulp of your tooth will need to be removed. You can need a root canal even if the crown of your tooth is intact. Removing dead or impacted pulp is the best way to ensure your tooth’s structure is preserved.
If you don’t have your damaged pulp removed, this can escalate into serious dental problems. Some of the problems that can result from leaving the infected or abscessed tooth untreated include: inflammation, tenderness, pain, infected tissues around your root, localized bone loss, and can even end up with the loss of your tooth.
Signs You Need A Root Canal
There are cases where you may not even know that you need a root canal, hence why regular dental cleanings are so important. However, there are several common symptoms that can indicate you need a root canal.
Signs that you need a root canal include:
- Persistent tooth pain
- Temperature sensitivity
- Pimples on your gums
- Swollen gums
- Swollen jaw
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Pain under pressure, such as when chewing
- Loose teeth
How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?
If you need root canal treatment, there’s no need to be worried. Root canals are no more painful than getting a filling. If you’re anxious about the treatment, our dentists can provide you with several sedation options to help you relax.
When you come into our office for root canal treatment, our dentist will conduct an examination and have X-rays done in order to diagnose the problem and determine whether you’re a good candidate for root canal treatment. We will then schedule your appointment. Depending on how much infection is in your tooth, root canal treatment may necessitate either one or two appointments. On average, you can expect a root canal to take anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes.
During the root canal treatment, we will use anesthesia to numb the area around your tooth. In order to keep the area dry, a rubber dam will be placed around the tooth to keep saliva away. Then, we will drill a hole into your tooth so that we can remove the bacteria, decayed pulp, and impacted nerve tissue. Once this is done, we will thoroughly clean and disinfect the inside of your tooth.
After your tooth is cleaned, it’s sealed. Depending on your root canal, the sealing may be done in your second appointment. If your tooth is not sealed the first appointment, a temporary filling will be placed to protect it between appointments. After your tooth has been filled, it may need further restoration, such as a crown, in order to protect it. Your dentist will discuss your individual case with you.
Recovering From A Root Canal
In most cases, people can drive themselves home after a root canal and resume life as normal. You can expect to be numb for several hours after your root canal treatment. It may feel sensitive for a few days after the fact. Once your root canal is completed, you will want to ensure you brush twice daily, floss once a day, and go to your regular dental cleanings in order to keep your mouth in good health.
Root canals are a highly effective method of treatment. Covington Dental Arts offers professional root canal services. Regardless of whether you visit us for regular dental cleaning or for root canal treatment, you can rest assured that we will provide you with exceptional care. Contact Covington Dental Arts in Riverton, UT today if you suspect you need a root canal.
