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What to Expect From a Root Canal
If your dentist has informed you that you need root canal therapy, you’re probably anxious about what comes next. We hope to ease your worries. Root canal therapy is a virtually painless dental procedure that will preserve your natural tooth and eliminate your discomfort.
Here’s what you can expect from a root canal and an overview of the root canal therapy process at Amber Hills Dental.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy helps clear infected tissue from the root of a tooth. Trauma and untreated tooth decay can cause infection to spread into your tooth, making its last stop in the root which is under the gum line. If left untreated, you run the risk of losing your tooth altogether. Root canal therapy prevents that from happening and preserves your natural tissues as much as possible.
How to Know If I Need a Root Canal?
You might need a root canal if you’re experiencing:
- Severe toothache, especially when biting down
- Increased sensitivity to extreme temperatures
- Tooth discoloration
- Red, swollen, and bleeding gums
- Bad breath or bad taste in mouth
- Visibly damaged tooth
- Wiggly sensation around the tooth
- Abscess near the gums
What Happens During a Root Canal?
First, your dentist will X-ray your tooth to understand the source and extent of the infection. They will then administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth and keep the procedure pain-free.
Next, your dentist will drill into the surface of your tooth to access the root and clean out the infected tissue. They’ll seal up the root with a material called gutta percha, which will effectively replace the lost tissue. Once that’s done, they’ll give you a filling to keep it protected as it heals. Depending on how compromised your tooth is, they might also top it off with a crown to keep your tooth protected. Crowns are typically made of a sturdy, tooth-like ceramic material to give your smile a natural look and feel.
Recovery After a Root Canal
You might feel numb and have a little bit of pain after your procedure. Make sure to eat soft foods that don’t require too much chewing for a couple of days as your tooth heals. Be gentle for the first few days when brushing and flossing around the affected area.
Maintaining a consistent dental routine and seeing your dentist twice a year can help you avoid developing infections in the future.
Affordable Root Canal Therapy in Henderson, NV
If you’re feeling aches and pains around your tooth, contact Amber Hills Dental to take the first steps in finding relief!
Our friendly, knowledgeable team would be happy to answer any questions you have about our office and treatment options. You can also visit our new patients page to learn more about what to expect during your first visit with us and our financial page for informatino about how we keep our treatments affordable.
Root canal therapy image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0