If your tooth has been infected or damaged, a root canal dentist can help. There are many reasons why a patient may need a root canal. The key is to visit a dentist that can remove the infection and save the tooth without causing pain.
This procedure is typically performed when the center of the tooth becomes infected. This area is commonly known as the dental pulp, and when an infection settles into it, patients will typically get a bad toothache. The roots also run through the center of the tooth so when the dental pulp becomes infected the roots will typically become infected as well. The longer the infection is allowed to grow and spread, the more painful the toothache will become.
In order to remove the infection, a root canal dentist will create a cavity (hole) in the tooth so that the infected portion can be entirely removed. The infected roots will also be pulled out. This procedure may sound painful, but we are a sedation dentist and able to keep patients comfortable the entire time. We practice conscious oral sedation so that patients are relaxed using something like laughing gas along with local anesthesia to numb the area that is being worked on. As a result, the entire procedure can be completed without pain.
Once the infected area of the tooth is removed it will be cleaned to ensure that no bacteria remain. A filling will then be placed in the hole that was created. If a lot of the tooth had to be removed, a filling alone might not be enough to stabilize it. In this scenario, a crown may be required to strengthen the tooth. A permanent crown won’t be placed on the same day as a root canal so a follow-up procedure may be necessary.
In order to prepare the tooth for a crown, a root canal dentist will remove enough enamel to allow the crown to fit securely around the tooth without interfering with the surrounding teeth. Sedation can also be used during this process in order to keep the patient comfortable. Meanwhile, the crown will be created in a dental lab using an impression of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. The crown must fit perfectly around the existing tooth, and the ridges must be created to specifically accommodate a patient’s bite, which is why the impression of the surrounding teeth is also taken.
Most patients that need a root canal dentist get to this point due to poor oral hygiene or lack of preventative dental care. When a tooth infection is caught early, it can typically be treated with a more minor procedure. Those that have their teeth cleaned twice a year, give the dentist a chance to catch infections in their earliest stages. Additional reasons for a root canal include having a tooth damaged in an accident, gum disease, or a tooth cracking. When these conditions are not resolved quickly, they can lead to more serious infections.
If you are experiencing a severe toothache, call today to schedule an appointment. As a root canal dentist, he can identify the cause of the problem and make treatment recommendations to correct it quickly.