Stop us if you’ve heard this joke about root canal therapy before:
What did one root canal say to the other?
“You’re a real pain!”
Unfortunately, if you really need a root canal, the pain you’re likely experiencing at the moment is no laughing matter. But while root canal therapy has the reputation of being a painful procedure, its true goal is to bring immediate relief from pain, along with saving your infected tooth. Thanks to advances in technology and dental techniques, modern root canal therapy is a painless and effective way to clean and preserve your natural tooth. Considering that over 15 million root canals are done annually, that’s quite a few teeth saved every year.
Understanding Root Canal Therapy
A root canal involves the removal of the soft inner pulp of your tooth when it becomes infected or inflamed. This often happens due to an untreated cavity or a cracked tooth, allowing bacteria to sneak through the enamel and to the pulp. During a root canal, we carefully clean the inside of the infected tooth, then disinfect it, and finally fill and seal it to prevent reinfection. The purpose of a root canal procedure is to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, relieve pain, and save the natural tooth, allowing the patient to maintain their oral health and preserve the structure of their mouth.
Signs You Might Need Root Canal Therapy
An infection that requires a root canal will not go away on its own. If not addressed in time, the decay will eventually cause the tooth to fall out. Seek help from the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent pain and discomfort in a tooth
- Sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers
- Discoloration or darkening of the affected tooth
- Swollen, tender gums around the tooth
- Pain when biting or chewing
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
While many people avoid root canal therapy thanks to its old-fashioned reputation, the modern procedure comes with several benefits:
- Instant pain relief: Root canal therapy can instantly relieve tooth pain and discomfort.
- Maintain natural teeth: We can preserve your natural teeth, avoiding more invasive procedures like extractions.
- Preserve other teeth: A root canal stops infections from spreading to other teeth.
- Return to normal: By filling and crowning your tooth after the root canal, we’ll restore your normal biting force and sensation.
The Root Canal Therapy Procedure
Before we commit to root canal therapy, one of our experienced dentists will examine your teeth and take digital X-rays. With 3D X-ray technology, we can determine the level of infection in your tooth and whether a root canal is necessary.
- We’ll start by applying local anesthesia to ensure you remain pain-free throughout the entire procedure.
- Next, a thin rubber sheet is placed over your tooth to act as a dam, keeping the infected tooth isolated and dry.
- A small hole is created in the top of your tooth to access the inflamed pulp.
- We use special dental tools to remove the pulp, which contains nerve endings, blood vessels, and tissue. The tooth needs these as it grows, but a fully-formed adult tooth can survive without them.
- After cleaning and disinfecting the empty chamber, we’ll fill it with a rubbery dental material called gutta-percha.
- To finish, we close the hole with a tooth-colored filling and seal the entire tooth with a dental crown to restore functionality and prevent further infection.
Expert Care at The Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Cleveland, TN, we specialize in comfortable, effective root canal therapy. We focus on making the procedure as pain-free as possible, helping you maintain your natural teeth and oral health. Our practice is lucky to have a dental family spanning three generations, so you know you’re in capable, experienced hands. Our caring staff—many of whom are also family—will put your comfort and oral health above all else, from your first consultation until the last crown is placed.
Take the Next Step Towards Oral Health
Root canal therapy is vital for repairing an infected tooth and alleviating pain. Are you experiencing symptoms that may require a root canal? Schedule a visit to The Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Our experienced team is ready to relieve your pain and help you achieve a healthier smile.
