Root Canals
ROOT CANALS
Gateway Family Dentistry is proud to effective, painless root canal procedures in Murfreesboro, TN.
What is a Root Canal Procedure?
Have you ever had a toothache?…the kind of pain that radiates all over your jaw and makes it difficult to eat, talk or swallow?
Pain like this is often caused by an inflamed or infected tooth root. Root canal procedures can help relieve pain associated with infected tooth roots and save the affected tooth.
Tooth undergoing endodontic (root canal) therapy
A root canal–also known as endodontic therapy–is a corrective dental procedure that removes infection from the soft pulp at the core of a tooth and replaces it with a sterile substance.
Without effective treatment, infection in the tooth root can cause severe pain, swelling and even life-threatening abscesses. While dental science has made it much easier to treat infected teeth, some teeth are too badly damaged to be repaired by procedures like a root canal. In these cases, extraction may be recommended as a last resort.
What Causes a Tooth to Become Infected?
Infection can result from a variety of conditions. The most common cause is decay. Tooth decay weakens and wears away a tooth’s surface, making it vulnerable to bacteria and microbes.
Injuries and trauma to a tooth can also give rise to infection. Many injuries cause cracks or chips in teeth that allow bacteria to reach the tooth’s pulp.
What Should You Expect From a Root Canal Procedure?
Root canal therapy has progressed significantly in the past few years. New techniques allow dentists to perform root canals that are virtually painless.
Most root canal procedures only take one dentist visit. However, additional x-rays are often needed to determine the exact extent of the tooth’s damage.
There are a few things to expect during your root canal procedure. First, your dentist will numb the affected tooth and surrounding tissues with local anesthetic. When you’re sufficiently numb, he or she will then place a rubber dam around the tooth to keep the area dry during the procedure.
Next, your dentist will drill a small hole into the tooth and remove the tooth’s infected pulp, along with any bacteria and decayed nerve tissues. After the initial cleaning, your dentist will then carefully scrape the inside of your tooth’s root canals, to ensure no bacteria or debris is left behind. He or she may also wash away leftover debris using water or a sterilized substance.
After Your Root Canal Procedure
Once the tooth is cleaned, your dentist will seal it to prevent infect from re-penetrating the surface. If there is still infection present, your dentist may opt to place medication in the tooth to help it heal and have you return in one week to seal the affected tooth.
Additionally, you might be prescribed medication to treat any existing infection in the tooth after your procedure.
Are you suffering from a painful tooth?
A root canal procedure can relieve your pain and prevent you from needing an extraction.
Gateway Family Dentistry in Murfreesboro, TN specializes in root canal procedures and painless sedation dentistry. Contact our offices today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.
