Root canal therapy is a necessary, beneficial form of restorative care that many people view with great anxiety. This treatment has developed a bad reputation over the years, being the topic of horror stories. Most people assume that the procedure or its subsequent “recovery” is painful. The truth is that any pain associated with the root canal is the intense toothache that comes before treatment.
Having a root canal is not much different from any other type of dental restoration. Just like when you get a filling, local anesthetic is used, and damaged tooth structure is removed. At Washington Street Dentistry, we go a step further and offer sedation for those patients who would prefer to sail through treatment and not remember a thing.
Root canal therapy is usually recommended in our Indianapolis dental practice when a tooth has become infected. Sometimes, we are able to catch infection early, before substantial pain has developed. Often, however, patients come to us once they have developed a persistent toothache that stems from infected pulp, which contains the nerve of a tooth.
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.
Before beginning treatment, your dentist will numb the area with local anesthetic. The damaged areas of the tooth are then removed, and a tiny hole made into the root canal for the removal of infected pulp. Our practitioners incorporate advanced technology in the form of rotary endodontics to facilitate better precision and timeliness of treatment. Upon removal of infected tooth material and cleaning the root canal, this area is sealed, and an impression is made for the creation of a permanent dental crown. After root canal therapy, you will be sent home with a temporary crown, feeling no lasting discomfort from the procedure.
We serve the areas in and around Indianapolis with excellent preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. If you are experiencing tooth pain, contact us right away for early intervention. By treating teeth early, it is easier to act conservatively and possibly avoid root canal therapy. When this treatment is necessary, we assure your comfort and satisfaction through a gentle, understanding approach.
Call Washington Street Dentistry to schedule your appointment today.
