Oral bacteria invade the pulp inside your tooth when a cavity is left untreated for a long time. This can also happen if your tooth becomes cracked or damaged due to trauma. Root canal therapy is necessary in these situations. You can contact our dentistry clinic at any time to schedule an appointment. 

Symptoms

It is not always easy to tell if you have an infected tooth, although you may notice certain symptoms and the following are signs you require a root canal:

• Lingering tooth pain – A root canal may be required if you have tooth pain that will not go away. Many dental problems can cause tooth pain. If you experience discomfort or pain deep in your tooth, you may need root canal therapy. 
• Sensitivity to heat and cold – Root canal therapy may be required if your tooth hurts when you drink hot beverages or eat cold foods. This is especially true if the pain lingers for over a few seconds. 
• Swollen gum – An infected tooth can lead to puffy, swollen or tender gums, and pus can collect in the area. 
• Pimple on your gums – It is possible to develop a pimple on your gums, and pus from the infected tooth may drain from the pimple, which can cause an unpleasant taste or smell.
• Swollen jaw. Pus does not always drain from the site, and your jaw may become visibly swollen. 
• Tooth discoloration – If the pulp of a tooth becomes infected, it can cause your tooth to look darker, resulting from poor blood supply to the tooth. 
• Pain when pressure is applied – If you experience pain when you eat or touch your tooth, it may be a sign that the nerves around the pulp are damaged. 
• A chipped or cracked tooth can allow bacteria to reach the tooth pulp. A cracked tooth can result from an accident, sports injury, or biting down on something hard. 
• Loose tooth – An infected tooth can feel loose because the pus from the infected pulp can soften the bone that supports the tooth. 

If you experience any of the signs above, you must contact our dental office right away to schedule an appointment. We will determine if root canal therapy is required. This is a common treatment we perform here at our dentistry and will provide you with all the information you need. 

Procedure Details

We will start by providing a detailed description of the process and what you can expect. We will answer all of your questions about the procedure and may prescribe you antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications a few days before your appointment. You must take all medications as prescribed and you must eat a healthy meal before your appointment because the local anesthesia used during root canal therapy will make your mouth numb for a few hours. 

We urge our patients not to smoke several days before their root canal appointment because tobacco products can interfere with your body’s ability to heal itself. This would be a great time to stop smoking altogether if you can. 

Root canal therapy may require one or two appointments, depending on the infection in your tooth. Most root canal treatments take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete, but if you are having treatment on a larger tooth with several roots, it can take up to an hour and a half. 

Our Process

We will start by taking dental x-rays of your affected tooth to determine the extent of damage and ensure root canal therapy is the best treatment option. If that’s the case, we will proceed with the following steps during your root canal procedure:

1. Anesthesia – We will start by administering local anesthesia to numb the infected tooth and your surrounding gums. If you struggle with dental anxiety, we can discuss sedation to help you relax and get through the treatment.
2. Dental dam placement – We will place a small rubber dam over the area before beginning root canal therapy to isolate the tooth and keep it dry during the procedure. 
3. Pulp removal. We will make a small opening in the tooth’s crown to access the pulp and remove the nerves, blood vessels and tissues inside the tooth using tiny dental instruments. Once the pulp is removed, we will clean, disinfect and shape the pulp chamber and root canal. 
4. Filling and sealing – Empty canals will be filled with a flexible, rubbery dental material, and a temporary dental filling will be placed to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from re-entering. 
5. Placing the final restoration – Most patients need a dental crown to protect the treated tooth and restore their bite. We will custom-make your crown, which can take two to three weeks. Once it’s ready, we will remove the temporary filling and place the permanent crown. 

Root canals are not painful because we will remove the source of infection during the procedure, and most patients will find immediate relief following treatment. If you continue to experience throbbing pain after your root canal treatment, contact us right away. 

You should not experience severe pain after a root canal, although sensitivity is normal in the first few days after treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage this condition, and side effects should disappear within one to two weeks. 

Advantages of having a Root Canal Procedure

This treatment can prevent your infection from spreading to other teeth and ease the symptoms associated with an infected tooth. It can also reduce the risk of jawbone damage and eliminate the need for tooth extraction. 

Root canal treatment has a high success rate and is safe and effective if completed by a reputable general dentist. You can depend on our dentistry for this treatment and contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more about this procedure and its advantages. 

Recovery and Aftercare

Root canal recovery can last less than a week, and you may experience mild discomfort, although this can be managed with medication. If you experience severe pain or discomfort that lasts longer than a week, please contact our office. 

The effects of the anesthesia will usually last a few hours, and it is best to wait until the numbness wears off before you start eating. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, and yogurts in the first couple of days, and gradually introduce solid foods as your comfort level improves. Try not to bite or chew with the treated tooth and chew on the other side of your mouth until your permanent dental restoration is in place. 

Suppose local anesthesia or nitrous oxide is used during your procedure. In that case, you will be able to drive yourself to and from your appointment, but if oral sedation or IV sedation is used, you will need a friend or family member to drive you. Most people can return to work or school the day after their procedure, but you may need an extra day or two to recover fully if you receive sedation during your root canal treatment. 

It is very important to keep the area clean after root canal treatment. Brush and floss normally, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep germs at bay. The results of a root canal can last a very long time, and for many patients, it can last the rest of their life. 

When should you give Mill Street Dental a call?

If you notice root canal symptoms like tooth pain, swelling, bad taste or other warning signs, contact our office to schedule an appointment. The sooner you treat an infected tooth, the higher the chance of saving it.

Regular dental checkups are also very important because we can detect problems while they are still minor and provide you with treatment right away. Routine visits allow the dentist to treat problems before they worsen. 

We are ready to schedule your next appointment if you are looking for a reputable and experienced dentist near you in Georgetown. We have been serving patients in Georgetown for many years and understand that experiencing tooth pain or swelling can be both frustrating and scary. Root canal therapy can remove infection at its source, making you feel better quickly. 

Whether it’s an emergency or a routine dental checkup, our dentist can help. Contact our Georgetown dental studio today to book your next appointment!

Root Canals In Georgetown

A professional and highly skilled dentist must complete root canal treatment. For this dental procedure, you can trust Mill Street Dental Studio.

What is a Root Canal, And When is This Treatment Needed?

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that relieves pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth. Bacteria can sometimes enter a tooth’s pulp and cause an infection; root canal therapy is necessary in this situation to save the tooth. We will remove the infected pulp during the procedure and seal the tooth to prevent reinfection. We will clean and disinfect the surfaces inside the tooth and will place a filling to seal the space.

Oral bacteria invade the pulp inside your tooth when a cavity is left untreated for a long time. This can also happen if your tooth becomes cracked or damaged due to trauma. Root canal therapy is necessary in these situations. You can contact our dentistry clinic at any time to schedule an appointment. 

Symptoms

It is not always easy to tell if you have an infected tooth, although you may notice certain symptoms and the following are signs you require a root canal:

• Lingering tooth pain – A root canal may be required if you have tooth pain that will not go away. Many dental problems can cause tooth pain. If you experience discomfort or pain deep in your tooth, you may need root canal therapy. 
• Sensitivity to heat and cold – Root canal therapy may be required if your tooth hurts when you drink hot beverages or eat cold foods. This is especially true if the pain lingers for over a few seconds. 
• Swollen gum – An infected tooth can lead to puffy, swollen or tender gums, and pus can collect in the area. 
• Pimple on your gums – It is possible to develop a pimple on your gums, and pus from the infected tooth may drain from the pimple, which can cause an unpleasant taste or smell.
• Swollen jaw. Pus does not always drain from the site, and your jaw may become visibly swollen. 
• Tooth discoloration – If the pulp of a tooth becomes infected, it can cause your tooth to look darker, resulting from poor blood supply to the tooth. 
• Pain when pressure is applied – If you experience pain when you eat or touch your tooth, it may be a sign that the nerves around the pulp are damaged. 
• A chipped or cracked tooth can allow bacteria to reach the tooth pulp. A cracked tooth can result from an accident, sports injury, or biting down on something hard. 
• Loose tooth – An infected tooth can feel loose because the pus from the infected pulp can soften the bone that supports the tooth. 

If you experience any of the signs above, you must contact our dental office right away to schedule an appointment. We will determine if root canal therapy is required. This is a common treatment we perform here at our dentistry and will provide you with all the information you need. 

Procedure Details

We will start by providing a detailed description of the process and what you can expect. We will answer all of your questions about the procedure and may prescribe you antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications a few days before your appointment. You must take all medications as prescribed and you must eat a healthy meal before your appointment because the local anesthesia used during root canal therapy will make your mouth numb for a few hours. 

We urge our patients not to smoke several days before their root canal appointment because tobacco products can interfere with your body’s ability to heal itself. This would be a great time to stop smoking altogether if you can. 

Root canal therapy may require one or two appointments, depending on the infection in your tooth. Most root canal treatments take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete, but if you are having treatment on a larger tooth with several roots, it can take up to an hour and a half. 

Our Process

We will start by taking dental x-rays of your affected tooth to determine the extent of damage and ensure root canal therapy is the best treatment option. If that’s the case, we will proceed with the following steps during your root canal procedure:

1. Anesthesia – We will start by administering local anesthesia to numb the infected tooth and your surrounding gums. If you struggle with dental anxiety, we can discuss sedation to help you relax and get through the treatment.
2. Dental dam placement – We will place a small rubber dam over the area before beginning root canal therapy to isolate the tooth and keep it dry during the procedure. 
3. Pulp removal. We will make a small opening in the tooth’s crown to access the pulp and remove the nerves, blood vessels and tissues inside the tooth using tiny dental instruments. Once the pulp is removed, we will clean, disinfect and shape the pulp chamber and root canal. 
4. Filling and sealing – Empty canals will be filled with a flexible, rubbery dental material, and a temporary dental filling will be placed to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from re-entering. 
5. Placing the final restoration – Most patients need a dental crown to protect the treated tooth and restore their bite. We will custom-make your crown, which can take two to three weeks. Once it’s ready, we will remove the temporary filling and place the permanent crown. 

Root canals are not painful because we will remove the source of infection during the procedure, and most patients will find immediate relief following treatment. If you continue to experience throbbing pain after your root canal treatment, contact us right away. 

You should not experience severe pain after a root canal, although sensitivity is normal in the first few days after treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage this condition, and side effects should disappear within one to two weeks. 

Advantages of having a Root Canal Procedure

This treatment can prevent your infection from spreading to other teeth and ease the symptoms associated with an infected tooth. It can also reduce the risk of jawbone damage and eliminate the need for tooth extraction. 

Root canal treatment has a high success rate and is safe and effective if completed by a reputable general dentist. You can depend on our dentistry for this treatment and contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more about this procedure and its advantages. 

Recovery and Aftercare

Root canal recovery can last less than a week, and you may experience mild discomfort, although this can be managed with medication. If you experience severe pain or discomfort that lasts longer than a week, please contact our office. 

The effects of the anesthesia will usually last a few hours, and it is best to wait until the numbness wears off before you start eating. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, and yogurts in the first couple of days, and gradually introduce solid foods as your comfort level improves. Try not to bite or chew with the treated tooth and chew on the other side of your mouth until your permanent dental restoration is in place. 

Suppose local anesthesia or nitrous oxide is used during your procedure. In that case, you will be able to drive yourself to and from your appointment, but if oral sedation or IV sedation is used, you will need a friend or family member to drive you. Most people can return to work or school the day after their procedure, but you may need an extra day or two to recover fully if you receive sedation during your root canal treatment. 

It is very important to keep the area clean after root canal treatment. Brush and floss normally, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep germs at bay. The results of a root canal can last a very long time, and for many patients, it can last the rest of their life. 

When should you give Mill Street Dental a call?

If you notice root canal symptoms like tooth pain, swelling, bad taste or other warning signs, contact our office to schedule an appointment. The sooner you treat an infected tooth, the higher the chance of saving it.

Regular dental checkups are also very important because we can detect problems while they are still minor and provide you with treatment right away. Routine visits allow the dentist to treat problems before they worsen. 

We are ready to schedule your next appointment if you are looking for a reputable and experienced dentist near you in Georgetown. We have been serving patients in Georgetown for many years and understand that experiencing tooth pain or swelling can be both frustrating and scary. Root canal therapy can remove infection at its source, making you feel better quickly. 

Whether it’s an emergency or a routine dental checkup, our dentist can help. Contact our Georgetown dental studio today to book your next appointment!