When people think of root canals, the first thing they think is, “NO WAY!” It's a common misconception that root canals are scary and painful. At Gary Johnson DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we perform gentle root canal therapy that relieves discomfort caused by severe tooth infections. With technological advancements in the field of dentistry, root canal therapy is more comfortable and stress-free than ever before! We understand that you might have some questions concerning your upcoming root canal, so we’ve gathered some information in this blog post to put your mind at ease.
Relief From Tooth Infection
When a tooth is severely damaged or infected, a root canal treatment can alleviate the pain by removing the compromised pulp inside while preserving your natural tooth. Common signs that indicate a possible need for a root canal are:
Appearance of an abscess on the gums
Chewing or biting down causes pain
Swollen, red, and tender gums
Mild to severe toothaches
Tooth discoloration
The Root Canal Process
After sterilizing your mouth and making sure you’re properly sedated, we drill a tiny hole in the infected tooth to access the pulp. After gently removing the pulp through the hole, we thoroughly clean the inside of your tooth and make sure the infection is gone by administering antibiotics. Once your mouth is infection-free, we will seal the tooth to protect it from bacteria and place a natural-looking dental crown over your tooth for additional protection. The procedure can last anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour. When we're done, you’ll feel relief right away.
Root Canal Therapy Aftercare
Your tooth may be slightly sensitive for a few days after the procedure. This discomfort is temporary and can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications. After the treatment, you can continue your oral health routine as usual by daily brushing and flossing your teeth as recommended. Just be sure to go very gently at first, since the area might be a little tender.
We Can Relieve Your Toothache!
Are you tired of experiencing tooth pain? We want you to smile with confidence knowing that your oral health is in tip-top shape. Contact our office to schedule your consultation and see if root canal therapy is right for you.