What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. Decays and infections are usually caused from a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or repeated dental treatment done to the tooth.
What You Can Expect During a Root Canal:
- Root canals can be done in one visit. Some may take two or three to complete.
- At your first visit, the dentist examines the tooth then administers local anesthetic to the tooth. After the tooth is numb, a protective sheet called a "dental dam" is placed over the area to isolate the tooth.
- An opening is created in the crown of the tooth, then the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned out with the use of very tiny instruments.
- After cleaning and shaping the space, the root canal is filled with a rubber like material called gutta-percha. This filiing helps keep the canals free of infection or contamination. However, in many cases, a temporary filling is used to closed the opening and is removed before the tooth is restored.
- At your final visit, your dentist will place a crown on the top of the tooth to protect and restore the tooth's full function.
Signs That You May Need A Root Canal:
- You have pain when you chew and/or drink hot or cold liquids.
- You have pain when you eat sweets, but the paint doesn't last long.
- You have swelling on the gum area surrounding the tooth.
- You have pain when touching or squeezing your cheek area and/or increased pain when opening your mouth.
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth.
Do Root Canals Hurt?
Many people steer clear from a root canal treatment because they are afraid of the pain that many say come with procedure. However, majority of the pain comes from the untreated infected tooth. The procedure itself is painless and can be compared to getting a filling. Any pain that you may feel, will come hours after the procedure.
Don't let your fears of a root canal steal your smile! Call Sofia Smiles Dental today to schedule your Root Canal!