What to expect before, during, and after root canal treatment in Indianapolis, IN

Dr. Matthew Church and his team of professionals at Washington Street Dentistry are committed to offering patients a wide selection of services to achieve healthier, more beautiful smiles. Patients may be told they can benefit from a procedure such as root canal therapy when problems such as these arise:

• Abscesses
• Trauma
• Infection
• Disease

Root canal treatment is commonly performed in our practice. However, many patients in the Indianapolis, IN area who are told they may need root canal therapy may ask what they can expect before, during, and after their procedure.

Before

First, patients need to consult with their dentist to determine if root canal therapy is the procedure they need to address problems with a specific tooth that may be causing pain and discomfort. This is done during an initial evaluation with the dentist. Patients who are experiencing problems need to book an appointment with Dr. Matthew Church to consult with the doctor regarding their issues. The dentist can take x-rays of the smile to look below the gum line and search for signs of infection or disease. This evaluation allows the dentist to find out what is causing the problem and diagnose the issue, then discuss the options for treatment. Root canal therapy is often performed to eliminate the need for patients to undergo an extraction of a natural tooth. Root canal therapy saves the tooth structure and is the last resort to save a tooth prior to permanent removal. Once patients have been diagnosed with a condition that can benefit from root canal therapy, the procedure begins.

During

During root canal therapy, patients need to be extremely comfortable to eliminate any feelings of pain or discomfort. Some patients may schedule their appointment for another day and use oral conscious sedation. This is when patients take an oral medication prior to their appointment so they feel at ease when they arrive at the dental practice. This is extremely beneficial for patients who have severe dental anxieties. Local anesthetics are used to eliminate any feelings of pain. The dentist creates access to the inside of the tooth through a small hole and special instruments are used to remove the dental pulp from inside of the tooth. Then, the dentist disinfects the canal before filing it with gutta percha. The tooth is then sealed using composite resin, and often, a dental crown is bonded over the tooth to give it an extra layer of protection and strengthen it.

After

Following root canal treatment, patients can use over-the-counter medications to address any discomfort they may feel following the treatment. Patients are given after-care instructions from their dentist. Dr. Matthew Church and his team of professionals have performed many root canal therapies and have the experience to achieve high success rates with this service. Patients who have experienced problems such as large cavities that resulted in the need for root canal therapy will be advised to visit the dentist more often to monitor the overall health of the smile and ensure the issue does not arise again in the future. Preventative dentistry is important in maintaining oral health and wellness. We encourage patients to visit the dentist at least every six months to monitor their oral health and check for signs of periodontal disease or cavities that can be detrimental to the smile. Dr. Matthew Church and his staff at Washington Street Dentistry are proud to accept new patients who are interested in comprehensive, quality dental care. Preventative, general, cosmetic, family, and emergency dentistry are all available under one roof!

Schedule a visit with Dr. Matthew Church today

Our team of professionals located in Indianapolis, IN provide quality dentistry. Washington Street Dentistry is located at 10935 East Washington Street and can be reached by phone at (317) 333-6788. Book an appointment to find out more about root canal therapy and other treatments available for patients of all ages in the community and surrounding areas.

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