Dayton Root Canal Therapy
If you cringe when you hear the words “root canal,” you’re not alone. Root canals can strike fear into the hearts of our bravest patients. Luckily for Today’s Dental patients, root canal therapy is not only completely safe and comfortable, it can actually relieve pain. If you want to learn more about root canal therapy or any of our other treatment options, call our Dayton dentist and team today. We offer comfortable, effective root canal therapy and a wide range of other restorative dentistry solutions to help patients repair damaged teeth and fully renew oral health and function.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure used to repair teeth when tooth decay or damage reaches the inner layers of the tooth. This inside layer is called pulp and the nerve tissue of the tooth is housed within this soft inner tooth structure. When tooth decay or damage accesses the nerve, the result can be severe pain and dental sensitivity. Root canal therapy allows us to remove the damaged pulp and nerve tissue and save a tooth that may otherwise need to be extracted.
How Will I Know I Need a Root Canal?
The Today’s Dental team will need to examine your smile to offer accurate root canal diagnosis. However, the majority of patients who visit us for root canal therapy schedule their appointments on an emergency basis. For this reason, it’s important that patients be aware of the warning signs that they will need a root canal. Some of the many symptoms that indicate a need for root canal treatment include:
- Severe toothache that may be a dull throb or sharp pain
- Lingering dental sensitivity following exposure to heat or cold
- Discoloration of the tooth near the gum line
- Infection, sores, or inflammation in the gums around a single tooth
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a relatively straightforward procedure. We begin by numbing the area around the tooth. Then, an access hole is drilled from the top of the tooth into the pulp. We carefully remove the damaged pulp and nerve tissue of the tooth. Then, we refill the tooth with a biocompatible substance, seal the access hole, and in most cases, we place a dental crown to protect the treated tooth. For patients who experience infection in their tooth, we may need to offer oral or topical antibiotics to remove the infection before we complete your treatment.
How do I Care for My Smile After Root Canal?
Following root canal therapy, most patients experience significant relief from the toothache pain and dental sensitivity they experienced prior to the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, you may want to avoid chewing with the part of your mouth around the treated tooth. Use cold compresses at 20 minute intervals to reduce inflammation. You can also use over the counter pain relievers as directed to reduce discomfort and swelling. If you notice increasing pain or inflammation, call our office right away. A few days after the root canal, your treated tooth should feel completely normal. At this point, you can return to brushing and flossing as usual.