A root canal is a therapeutic and restorative dental service performed to salvage or repair a severely decayed, infected, or compromised tooth. Patients may require root canal treatment if they have one or several teeth with extensive decay or trauma, deep fillings, fractures, or periodontal disease (gum disease). During a root canal therapy procedure, the pulp of the tooth and the nerve are both removed. Then, the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned before it is sealed.
Our dentists in Lake City with Lake City Dental perform root canal therapy to improve the health of patients’ teeth, restore patients’ oral health, and relieve pain caused by tooth infections or pulp inflammation. Lake City Dental offers root canal treatment using state-of-the-art equipment and materials and the highest level of quality care for superior comfort and care throughout the root canal process. Contact us today to learn about our dental membership plan and to schedule an appointment for treatment.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a dental procedure performed to correct teeth that are severely decayed, problematic, with deep fillings, or subject to extensive trauma or large fillings. During the procedure, the dentist extracts the affected tooth’s pulp or soft tissues. Teeth are made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that help the tooth grow and remain strong. When a tooth is compromised, whether due to decay or another cause, a root canal is required to remove the infected pulp, clean and disinfect the inside areas of the tooth, and thereafter replace the tooth pulp with a filling.
The filling used in a root canal procedure seals the tooth and protects it from bacteria and other sources of potential reinfection. A root canal is commonly required to treat gum disease or periodontal disease due to the decay and trauma developed within the teeth as a result of this condition. Root canal therapy may also be required when bacteria enter the tooth’s pulp and cause an infection. When the teeth suffer infection, the result can be extremely painful. Root canal treatment pain relief is evident, as it addresses dental abscesses and improves oral health as well as general well-being. Contact our Lake City dentist today to schedule root canal treatment.
Signs You Need A Root Canal
When a tooth becomes infected, the infection can spread deep inside to the root of the tooth. The inner chamber of each tooth, commonly known as the tooth’s pulp, contains blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues, which are likewise susceptible to infection. Oftentimes, patients with severely decayed teeth experience moderate-to-severe oral pain, which can indicate a prompt need for prompt root canal pain treatment.
Yet, other patients who require a root canal may not experience pain. The following comprises some of the most common signs which may indicate the need for root canal therapy. To determine whether or not you require root canal treatment, please contact Lake City Dental to schedule an appointment with a dentist.
- Severe Oral Pain
- Gum Swelling & Inflammation
- Tooth Discoloration
- Bitter Taste In Your Mouth
- Long-Term Tooth Sensitivity
How Long Does A Root Canal Take?
In most situations in which patients undergo a root canal, they subsequently require a root canal and crown treatment. A dental crown is used in root canal therapy to protect the treated tooth and restore the patient’s bite. Each tooth crown is customized to each patient and made in our laboratory. When a patient’s custom crown is ready for placement (generally 2–3 weeks after the initial appointment), our dentist will remove the temporary filling and place the permanent dental crown. In some cases, the crown may be placed during the root canal procedure.
The total amount of time required to complete a root canal may vary from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the damage and infection in a tooth or several teeth, as well as whether a single tooth or several teeth require treatment or multiple appointments to complete. In general, however, a root canal can take approximately an hour to complete. If a patient undergoes treatment on a larger tooth with multiple roots, the procedure may take longer to complete. For more information about the duration of our root canal procedure and to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Does A Root Canal Hurt?
For the majority of patients, root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than a tooth-filling procedure. During a root canal procedure, the dentist drills an access hole through the infected tooth in order to remove the infected tissue and clean and shape the root canal system prior to removing the infected tooth pulp. Once the tooth is confirmed asymptomatic, the canals of the tooth are then filled with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material.
Once the procedure is complete, the tooth must be properly restored to ensure it is fully sealed. In many cases, after undergoing a root canal, patients will receive a full-coverage dental crown. The dental crown prevents the tooth from fracturing. Other teeth, however, may require only a dental filling.
Root Canal Recovery
After undergoing a root canal, our patients generally report feeling no pain during their procedure, with some minor degree of pain following the procedure. Patients may treat the pain using over-the-counter pain medication as is appropriate for their needs. With regard to root canal recovery time, recovery following your procedure generally takes less than a week, though this may vary from patient to patient.
Patients may experience a mild degree of discomfort or pain for several days after their procedure, yet this can be alleviated with medication and adequate rest. If you experience severe pain or persistent throbbing after your root canal, please contact our office right away. Patients who have undergone a root canal procedure and are waiting for their permanent crown to be placed should avoid chewing or biting with the treated tooth or teeth. Instead, chew on the other side of the mouth until the permanent dental crown is placed.
Contact Lake City Dental for more information.