Root canals have a bad reputation for being painful. However, they are pain-relieving procedures meant to prevent much further pain from developing. If an infected tooth goes untreated it could lead to an abscess, decay, and continuous nerve pain.
When Do I Need a Root Canal?
Root canals are a tooth infection treatment. A root canal might be necessary if you:
- Are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
- Have tooth or jaw pain that doesn’t go away.
- Have a chipped, cracked, or loose tooth.
- Notice a dark tooth discoloration.
- Have swollen gums and/or jaw.
- Experience pain with pressure.
- Pimple or boil on the gums.
Root Canal Procedure
According to the American Association of Endodontists, over 40,000 root canals are performed in the United States every day. This means that this common, tooth-saving treatment is done more than 15 million times a year!
Let us walk you through what the root canal procedure involves.
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- Examination. Before your root canal, our dentist will take a dental x-ray of the infected area to assess the extent of the damage and what has to be done.
- Anesthesia. If we need to proceed with a root canal, a local anesthetic will be given to numb the infected tooth and surrounding gums. We also offer sedation dentistry options!
- Dental dam placement. Before beginning the root canal, a small rubber dam is placed over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it dry during the process.
To Schedule Your Consultation, Call Us Today!
We understand that root canals can make people uneasy. However, we offer a variety of sedation options so that you can get the treatment you need. Get in touch with us, and we will create a treatment plan just for you.
- Access hole. A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth for the dentist to access the inner infection, much like a cavity treatment.
- Removal. Tiny dental instruments are then used to remove the damage inside of the tooth which stops or prevents further nerve pain.
- Canal treatment. Once the inner tissues are removed from the tooth, the root canals are then also cleaned, disinfected, and shaped.
- Filling the canals. The empty canals are replaced with a flexible, rubbery dental material called gutta-percha.
- Sealing the tooth. Then, a temporary dental filling is placed to seal the tooth and prevent the reintroduction of bacteria.
- Final restoration. In most cases, a dental crown will need to be placed to finish the root canal procedure. A dental crown will protect the treated tooth and restore your bite.
Will I Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are the castle walls of your damaged tooth, they restore your chewing surface and prevent any further injury to the compromised tooth. At The Norterra Dentist, we use porcelain for our crowns. Porcelain is a natural material that matches your existing smile, providing it with strength and durability just like any other existing tooth.
Check out our dental crown webpage for more information!
What Sedation Treatments Are Available to Me?
The Norterra Dentist understands that procedures like tooth infection treatment can cause nerves and anxiety in our patients. It’s our goal to listen to your concerns and establish a relaxing, comfortable environment so you can receive the treatment you need.
We offer two types of general sedation:
Laughing gas: a mild form of sedation that you can recover from minutes after the mask is removed. The sedation effects provide a comforting, warm, and relaxed state for our patients.
Oral conscious sedation: a more moderate to heavy sedation experience. This includes taking a pill before your appointment and the effects wear off between 2–8 hours after your visit.
To Schedule Your Consultation, Call Us Today!
We understand that root canals can make people uneasy. However, we offer a variety of sedation options so that you can get the treatment you need. Get in touch with us, and we will create a treatment plan just for you.
More information can be found on our sedation page.
Tooth Infection Treatment
It is important to treat any infection as quickly as possible. This not only protects your overall smile but your entire bodily health! Infection can also spread into the jawbone, soft tissues of the face, neck, and beyond. There are even documented cases of infection spreading into other organs such as the brain or heart.
Infections do not go away on their own and must be treated by a professional.
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This page has been reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Roopinder Mann, owner of The Norterra Dentist and graduate of University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
