Endodontics

Preserve Your Tooth With Endodontics

Endodontics treat the center of your tooth, called the pulp. The pulp consists of nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue, which can become painfully infected and inflamed. Fortunately, endodontics offer a highly successful way to treat and preserve your tooth.

In 95% of cases, root canals can preserve teeth that have inflamed, infected, or dead pulp, allowing you to keep your tooth for a lifetime. And because your tooth remains in place, you won’t experience shifting as you could if the tooth was extracted instead.

How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?

The most common sign that you may need a root canal is pain, but there are other symptoms you should look out for, too. Call us right away if you experience any of the following symptoms.

woman receiving dental exam

What to Expect

We’ll first take X-rays to determine whether you need a root canal. If you do, we’ll schedule one or two treatments, depending on the size of your abscess and other factors.

When you arrive for your root canal, we’ll apply local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Then, we’ll place a dental dam in your mouth, over the affected area. Next, we’ll make a small opening in the top of your tooth and remove the pulp from your tooth’s chambers and canals. Then, we’ll clean and shape your canals with special instruments and sterilize them to prevent infection. We may need to take X-rays to ensure your canals have been thoroughly treated.

After the pulp has been removed and your canals are clean, we’ll place a temporary filling in your tooth. However, your tooth will need a permanent filling and crown after the procedure to protect it from fracturing. We make crowns in our office and can set you up with an appointment for a full restoration.

After Your Procedure

Your tooth may be sore or sensitive for a few days, but it’s essential to maintain good dental hygiene. Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medicine should alleviate any discomfort. Remember, it’s important to avoid chewing on your tooth until a crown is in place to protect it.

Don’t forget to schedule a follow-up appointment so we can be sure your tooth is healing properly. And if you experience any problems, call us immediately.

Don’t Wait

If you suspect that you may need a root canal, don’t put off seeking treatment. The longer you wait, the more severe your infection will become, and the more pain you will experience.

Many people are fearful of having a root canal because they’ve heard that it is painful, but the reality is most patients experience relief after their procedure. That’s because the infection that’s causing your pain is removed. And because you’ll receive local anesthetic, the procedure itself shouldn’t be painful either.

Don’t live with tooth pain any longer. Contact us today so we can find the source of your pain and restore the health of your teeth.