Root Canal Therapy

Wyoming, Michigan

Treatments

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Hearing you need a root canal treatment can leave you fearful and anxious. The good news is that advances in dental technology allow for gentle root canals, comparable to having fillings placed. Better yet, the virtually painless procedure saves damaged or infected teeth, restoring their health and function. Visit Craft Dentistry to get your smile back on track!

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Inside every tooth is an area called the pulp chamber, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The soft tooth pulp can become inflamed or infected due to deep decay, injury, a cracked or fractured tooth, damaged dental work, or repeated dental procedures.

Root canal therapy involves removing the infected pulp, clearing the infection, and preventing further damage. Despite what you may have heard, the endodontic procedure does not cause tooth pain. It actually provides instant relief from severe pain caused by tooth pulp inflammation or infection.

What Are Signs You May Need a Root Canal Treatment?

Common symptoms you may require root canal therapy include the following:

A severe, persistent toothache
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
Swelling and tenderness of the gums
A pimple or bump on the gums
Tooth discoloration
A bad mouth odor
Pus or drainage around the affected tooth
Facial swelling
A chipped, cracked, or loose tooth

These symptoms do not necessarily translate to the need for root canal therapy. However, they warrant an immediate visit to Craft Dentistry for an evaluation.

What Are the Consequences of Avoiding a Needed Root Canal Treatment?

Tooth pulp infection will not resolve without treatment. Instead, it can spread to the gum and jawbone surrounding the infected tooth, wreaking havoc on your oral health. The infection can cause severe damage to your jawbone and may even enter your bloodstream and cause life-threatening sepsis, a stroke, or even a heart attack. As the infection progresses, so will the pain, which can become excruciating.

The only alternative to a needed root canal treatment is to have the infected tooth extracted. However, that should always be considered the last resort because saving a natural tooth is the best possible outcome. Leaving a gap in your smile causes many complications, so you would likely need a tooth replacement option, such as a dental implant or bridge.

What Is the Root Canal Procedure?

We will start your endodontic treatment by administering local anesthesia to ensure the procedure is comfortable and free of pain. We are also happy to offer nitrous oxide sedation to help you relax during treatment.

Once you are comfortable and ready for the procedure, Dr. Szymanski will make a small opening in the affected tooth’s crown to access and remove the diseased pulp, eradicating the infection. Next, she will clean, disinfect, and shape the area and fill your root canals with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. The last step is placing a filling to seal the space.

After your root canal treatment, your tooth will be fragile and prone to fractures, which is why Dr. Szymanski may recommend placing a dental crown. Your root canal-treated tooth will look and function like your natural teeth, and with proper care, it can last a lifetime!