A root canal treats infection or inflammation deep inside your tooth. During the procedure, the damaged tissue is gently removed and the tooth is cleaned and sealed to help prevent future problems.
Although Polished Dental Care doesn’t perform root canal procedures in-office, scheduling an appointment with us is still the right first step if you are experiencing tooth pain. Dr. Liz can help figure out where your pain is coming from and refer you to a trusted specialist if root canal treatment is the right next step.
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The Basics of Root Canal Therapy
Many of our patients have heard about root canals, but they’re left wondering: What is a root canal? How does it work?
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called pulp, made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It helps your tooth develop and allows you to sense when something is hot or cold inside your mouth.
If a tooth is cracked or damaged from deep tooth decay or an injury, the pulp can become infected or inflamed. Sometimes the irritation is mild enough that it can be resolved by fixing the source of the problem (like fixing a cavity). But when the damage goes deep enough, the pulp can’t heal on its own. That’s when root canal therapy may be able to come to the rescue and help save your tooth.
Why Might You Need a Root Canal?
We understand that getting a root canal probably isn’t on your bucket list. At the same time, it’s often the best way to protect a tooth that’s already in trouble. Common reasons why someone might need a root canal are:
- Deep tooth decay that has reached the inner pulp of the tooth
- A cracked or damaged tooth that exposes the pulp to bacteria
- Trauma or injury to a tooth, even if it happened a while ago
- Infection that’s developed inside or around the tooth
- Previous dental work, like multiple procedures on the same tooth over the years
Any of these can irritate or damage the pulp to the point where it can’t repair itself, making a root canal a possible next step to help save your tooth.
What Are the Signs You May Need a Root Canal?
Just like the rest of your body, your teeth are pretty good at letting you know when something’s wrong. To catch signs of tooth pulp inflammation or infection early, keep an eye out for:
- Persistent tooth pain that doesn’t go away
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the temperature is gone
- Pain when you bite down or chew
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums near the tooth
- Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
- A small bump or pimple on the gums
If you have noticed one or more of these symptoms, that doesn’t necessarily mean something serious is going on. It just means it’s time for an evaluation.
Dr. Liz can take a closer look at the tooth, figure out what’s actually causing the problem, and help you understand your options from there.
What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?
While Polished Dental Care doesn’t perform root canal procedures ourselves, we want you to know what to expect if you’re referred for one. We find that helps our patients feel less anxious about their upcoming procedure.
In general, root canal therapy includes:
- A specialist exam and imaging to get a detailed view of the tooth and surrounding bone
- Local anesthetic to numb the area
- Removal of the infected or inflamed pulp from inside the tooth
- Cleaning and disinfecting the tooth to remove any lingering bacteria
- Filling and sealing the tooth to protect it from future infections or inflammation
- A restoration, like a crown, may be added if the tooth needs extra support to stay strong and functional
The exact steps can vary from patient to patient, but your specialist will make sure you know what your procedure will entail before it begins so that you can feel calm and informed every step of the way.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
This is probably the question we hear most. It’s a fair one. Root canals get a bad rap. The good news is, root canals aren’t nearly as bad as people make them out to be.
Modern root canal treatment is performed with anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure itself. Some soreness afterward is normal as the area heals, similar to what you might feel after other dental work. Your specialist can talk you through what recovery typically looks like for your situation.
Many patients find that the tooth pain they felt before the root canal was worse than what they experienced while healing from the procedure.
Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction: What’s the Difference?
When a tooth is damaged or infected, there are generally two paths forward: save it or remove it. The goal of root canal therapy is to preserve your natural tooth by treating the infected pulp inside it. Extraction, on the other hand, removes the tooth entirely.
During your evaluation, Dr. Liz will determine which option makes the most sense by looking at the condition of the tooth, how healthy the rest of your tooth is, and your overall oral health.
Who Performs Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy can be performed by general dentists or by endodontists, who specialize specifically in diagnosing and treating problems involving the dental pulp and root canals. Because of their focused training, endodontists often handle more complex cases.
Knowing the difference is helpful, but you don’t need to diagnose yourself. That’s what your evaluation is for. At Polished Dental Care, we will never leave you to figure out your next steps alone.
What Should You Do If You Think You Need a Root Canal?
Don’t wait for tooth pain to get worse before reaching out. If you’re noticing persistent pain, sensitivity, swelling, or any other change in a tooth, it’s worth getting it checked out sooner rather than later.
Call us at (616) 698-6663 to schedule an evaluation with Polished Dental Care. We’ll take a look, help you understand what’s causing your symptoms, and recommend the right next step, including a referral for a root canal if that is the best solution for your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats an infected or inflamed tooth by removing the damaged pulp inside, cleaning the area, and sealing the tooth to help prevent further infections.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
Common signs include persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when chewing, swelling or tenderness in the gums, tooth discoloration, or a bump on the gums. These symptoms don’t automatically mean you need a root canal, though. The best way to determine the right solution is to schedule an evaluation with Polished Dental Care.
How long does a root canal procedure take?
Timing can vary depending on your specific situation. On average, root canals take between 30-90 minutes. Your specialist can give you a more specific idea of how long your root canal may take once they’ve evaluated your tooth.
Does a root canal hurt?
Root canal treatment is performed with anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. There may be some discomfort after the procedure, but the main goal of treatment is to relieve the pain caused by the infected or inflamed tooth.
Does Polished Dental Care perform root canals?
Polished Dental Care doesn’t perform root canal procedures in-office. However, Dr. Liz can evaluate your smile to determine what’s causing your symptoms and refer you to a trusted specialist when root canal treatment is needed.
