What is a Root Canal?
A Root Canal or Endodontic Therapy is needed when the nerve of the tooth is infected or irreversibly inflamed. The cause of such infection/inflammation can have several causes such as deep decay, trauma to the tooth, cracks/chips or repeated dental treatment. The symptoms indicating the possible necessity of a root canal can include visible injury to the tooth, swelling of the gingiva beside the tooth, severe pain to temperature, or just plain and simple pain in the tooth.
A root canal cleans out the inside of the tooth known as the pulp and removes all infected/inflamed tissue and seals the canal with filling material. Root Canal Therapy allows us to treat a tooth non-surgically and avoids an extraction thus preventing the need of a bridge or an implant. It is always important to save your teeth and keep them present in your mouth. Extractions lead to spaces which may cause your teeth to move and shift. Treating a tooth with a root canal eliminates this concern.
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
Are you wondering if you need a root canal? If you are suffering from any of the symptoms below, we recommend you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. At Boardwalk Dental, our expert team provides quality root canal treatment to aid infected teeth. Some symptoms to watch for include:
- A constant throbbing
- Facial swelling
- Pain that comes and goes
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Pus around the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers
- Swelling around the gums
- Toothache
- Trouble sleeping due to pain
Please note that you may experience no symptoms at all! That’s why we recommend biannual dental exams to catch any problems that could later require costly treatment.
FAQS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I expect during a root canal procedure?
Most root canals can be done in one to two appointments. The first appointment is the procedure itself when the infected pulp is removed. The second (and maybe third) appointment is when we’ll remove the temporary filling and put in a permanent one. Typically, you’ll have a dental crown placed on top of that filling to prevent the tooth from fracturing in the future. Each appointment lasts roughly 90 minutes each.
Does a root canal hurt?
In the past, root canals were often associated with great pain. However, modern dentistry allows for a comfortable procedure. We promise to be gentle during your procedure and make sure you are fully numbed before we get started.
Do I need to take any aftercare measures following my root canal?
We offer different pieces of advice following each stage of the root canal process. We promise to leave you fully informed on everything you need to do for a quick recovery.
Do you have sedation options available?
Yes. If you are one of many who are anxious about going to the dentist, we can restore your mouth to a healthy condition while using safe oral sedation techniques. You will feel relaxed and drowsy during the procedure, with little or no memory of the appointment.
