Why Would You Need Root Canal Therapy?
Despite what you may have heard, root canal therapy is a simple and straightforward procedure that helps relieve pain rather than causing it. It has saved millions and millions of teeth over the years, restoring their health, form, and function. If you’re anxious about an upcoming root canal appointment, let your trusted team at Indigo Dentistry know. Our gentle techniques, advanced anesthetics, and sedation dentistry options will help you relax in the dentist’s chair. We are all about your comfort and wellbeing!
Why Would You Require Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure dedicated to repairing teeth with infected or inflamed inner pulp, usually resulting from deep decay, large fillings, cracks, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. If left untreated, tooth pulp damage can lead to numerous complications, including severe pain, swelling, an abscess, and even bone loss around the tooth’s root. Root canal therapy relieves pain and effectively restores a tooth’s health, form, function, and integrity. With proper care, a treated tooth can last a lifetime!
Warning Signs That You Require Root Canal Therapy
Some warning signs indicating pulp damage requiring root canal therapy include:
- Severe and persistent tooth pain when biting or chewing
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
- Swelling, tenderness, or darkening of the gums
- Deep decay
- Tooth discoloration
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- A recurring pimple-like bump on the gums indicating an abscess
In some cases, tooth pulp damage may not produce any symptoms, which is why we encourage our valued patients to maintain their routine twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings. That will allow your trusted team at Indigo Dentistry to uncover and treat any underlying concerns as they arise.
What Is the Root Canal Therapy Procedure?
We will first take an x-ray of the affected tooth to identify the shape of the canals and determine if there’s an abscess. We will use a local anesthetic to numb the area and will administer dental sedation, if required, to allow you to relax and enjoy a positive experience.
Once the area is numb, we will isolate the affected tooth with a rubber dam. We will make a small opening in the tooth’s crown and perform a pulpotomy, which involves removing the infected tooth pulp, along with the nerves, bacteria, and any debris trapped in the root canals. Next, we will carefully clean and sterilize the area, shape the inside of the root canals, then fill them with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. We will seal the space and place a temporary filling to protect the cavity.
What Happens After Root Canal Therapy?
A tooth is usually prone to fracture after root canal therapy and requires a dental crown for protection. That involves shaping the tooth to make room for the restoration, then making impressions to send to a dental lab for fabrication. We will place a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth.
During an upcoming placement appointment, we will check your restoration to ensure it fits perfectly and will make any adjustments required before cementing it in place. Your treated tooth will look, feel, and function just like any of your natural teeth!
Gentle Root Canal Therapy Near Me
Contact Indigo Dentistry at Cedar Hill, TX, to learn more about our gentle and comfortable root canal treatments designed to restore your healthy, functional smile. There’s no reason to live with pain! Call us and schedule your appointment today.