Root Canal Therapy
When in great shape, your tooth structure keeps bacteria from getting anywhere near the root of your tooth. Unfortunately, severe decay, cracks, and breakage can all eliminate that shield, resulting in an infection deep in the tooth. When that happens, you’ll need to have a root canal performed to eliminate pain, stop the infection, and save your tooth.
At Restore Dental, we focus on saving teeth by performing the right level of care whenever problems arise. If bacteria reaches the center of your tooth, a root canal is definitely the way to go to preserve your smile and keep you feeling great.
Want to know about Houston root canals? Here’s all you need to know about this important procedure.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a specialized dental procedure designed to treat tooth infections at the pulp level. The procedure involves the removal of the pulp going through the middle of the tooth and down into the root. The root of the tooth gets removed as well.
Through that process, it’s possible to quickly relieve pain and discomfort while saving the tooth. You will need to have a dental crown fitted afterward to protect the tooth structure for the long term.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Common signs you need a root canal include:
- Debilitating tooth pain
- Gum or mouth swelling
- Tooth discoloration
- Visual chips and cracks
- Moderate to severe decay
Even nagging pain can point to the need of a root canal, so it’s best to get it checked out early. Waiting could allow an infection to get much worse and even enter the bloodstream.
To get checked out, you just have to schedule a visit at our dental clinic in Houston. We’ll help you find a great time to come by and have an exam performed by your dentist.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
If you suspect you need a root canal, call for an appointment and schedule a prompt exam. You can also reach out for emergency dentistry services if you cannot wait for an appointment later in the week.
During your initial visit, your dentist will fully examine your teeth and gums to pinpoint the issue. They may also need to take x-rays and perform additional diagnostic tests to find the main cause of your pain and discomfort.
If you need a root canal, your dentist will let you know just what to expect and provide aftercare instructions to follow. Overall, root canals are a fairly straightforward procedure. Your dentist will numb your teeth and gums in the target area, and then open up the tooth to get to the pulp inside.
After that, it’s just a matter of removing the infected pulp and nerve tissue using root canal files. Your dentist will clear all the infectious material out of the tooth as well to let the tissues heal. The tooth will remain open until the infection clears to avoid trapping any bacteria inside.
You will need to come back for one more appointment to have a rubber compound and sealer paste placed in the canal. Your dentist can then cap it off with a filing and discuss the need for a dental crown in the near future.
Ready to get the dental care you need? Just call our team at 281-768-8944 to set up your visit. We look forward to helping you preserve your beautiful smile and feel your best always.