As a root canal dentist office, we encourage you to call our office at the first sign of a toothache. While you could simply have last night’s popcorn stuck in your teeth, you could also have an infection. If the discomfort does not go away after brushing and flossing, you should call our office for an examination and for relief.
When you come in, we will conduct a physical examination to see if you have any external tooth decay (cavities). We will also take x-rays to find out if you have an infection in the center of your tooth (dental pulp). If you do, you will need a root canal in order to remove it. Otherwise, your discomfort will only increase.
As a root canal dentist, we perform endodontics procedures on a regular basis. As such, we have developed best practices for completing the procedure quickly, efficiently and comfortably. This way they will be more comfortable during the exam and the dentist will be better equipped to treat them. Likewise, if you need to have your teeth straightened, you should work with someone that straightens teeth on a daily basis, rather than a dentist that offers treatments every few months. Likewise, if you need a root canal – you should visit a root canal dentist. Since we perform these treatments regularly, we have additional clinical experience that allows us to do a fantastic job of removing the infection and ensuring that you remain comfortable while we do so. Naturally, the more experience a dentist has, the better the results are likely to be.
The Procedure
Once we have determined that you need a root canal, we will begin by cleaning the area and then creating a small hole in your tooth. This is necessary for accessing the infection. We will then proceed with removing your dental pulp and roots if they are infected. The area will then need to be cleaned and examined. Once we are satisfied that all of the infection has been removed, we will seal up the hole. This is done with a rubber-like substance. Your tooth will begin to feel better as soon as the infection is gone, but this is typically not the end of the procedure. Since a hole was made and the tooth very often experiences decay at the same time, the tooth will need to be restored. The type of restoration will be based on the amount of tooth structure that was lost. If it was minimal, a dental filling may be enough to restore it. If not, a dental crown may be necessary. We will let you know what to expect during your examination, but our goal is to help your tooth to become healthy again and fully functional, meaning that we will take the steps necessary to complete the process. As a root canal dentist, we are confident that you will be pleased that you came in and that you had your infection treated.