Root Canal Therapy
Having to get a root canal can be one of the most dreaded of dental procedures. The symptoms of an infected tooth’s root are painful and persistent due to your tooth’s nerve being decayed, infected, or irreversibly swollen and inflamed. Root canal therapy replaces the infected pulp with special, medicated dental materials that preserve the life of your tooth.
Find out how our Savannah dental team can provide your successful root canal therapy. Call (912) 921-0401 to schedule an initial appointment.
What Is a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is performed when your tooth decay is so extensive that it will likely damage or has already killed your tooth. During your root canal treatment, a dentist or endodontist will remove pulp from the center of your tooth. Once it is removed and has had an opportunity to heal, the pulp cavity will be filled. This is to prevent further infection and promote healing.
Steps in a Root Canal
Basically, there are five general steps involved in the actual root canal procedure. They are:
- The patient’s gum is numbed with a substance which feels like jelly. This local anesthetic is spread on the teeth, gums, tongue, and skin in the infected area.
- The decayed tooth is separated out from the healthy teeth with a small sheet of rubber in a metal frame. This protective sheet can also help stop liquid and tooth chips from ending up in the mouth or throat.
- Once the patient is ready for treatment, our general dentist will use a drill to remove the pulp from the tooth and fill it below the gum line with medicines, temporary filling materials, and the root canal filling material.
- If a permanent cap or dental crown is needed, our dentist will remove the decay and a technician will take an impression to create a crown that is an exact match of your drilled tooth.
- A temporary crown is fitted in place until the permanent crown has been crafted and can be cemented into position.
After a root canal procedure, your lips and gums may be numb for a short time until the local anesthetic wears off. You may have some pain which can be treated with an OTC medicine or a stronger prescription painkiller. Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions closely and monitor any change in your pain level.
Root Canal Symptoms
The first symptom that a root canal may be required is a throbbing, persistent pain in the infected tooth. Some other symptoms are:
- Hot and cold sensitivity
- Irritation or gum abscess
- Swelling or tenderness
Our Savannah root canal therapy team is here to provide you with the right long-term dental care that will preserve your healthy smile. If the tooth decay has reached any live tooth tissue, you have any trauma or injury to the tooth, or you are experiencing an infection inside your tooth or near the root tip, we’re here to help!
To learn how our Savannah dental team can best support your treatment goals, please contact Medical Arts Dentistry. Call (912) 921-0401 to schedule your preliminary consultation.
