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Root Canal Therapy

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root Canal Therapy treats diseased and infected teeth. The goal is to save your natural teeth and keep your mouth healthy. Bacteria can infiltrate the pulp of a tooth through decay, fractures or trauma. A root canal removes the diseased tissue and replaces it with sterile filling material.

What are my Options

• Root Canal Therapy
• Extraction of the tooth.

What happens at my appointment?

• To determine if your tooth needs Root Canal Therapy, we do a thorough exam that includes an x-ray and visual examination of the tooth. We may also test the vitality of the tooth by tapping on it, pulp testing it with an instrument, or applying heat or cold. If it is determined that a root canal is needed we will outline the procedure and associated costs with you as well as alternatives to treatment.
• In order to ensure your comfort the affected area of the mouth can be completely numbed, but often, no anesthesia is necessary.

• A rubber dam is placed in order to isolate the affected tooth, ensuring a sterile working environment and protecting the patient from anything falling to the back of the mouth.
• An opening is made into the top of the tooth and any decayed tooth structure is removed.
• A very small instrument known as a dental file is used to remove the infected pulp of the tooth.
• A sterile filling material is used to seal the roots of the tooth against further infection. A post and/or build up is necessary to replace the tooth structure A crown is then normally placed over the treated tooth to protect the natural tooth.

After your Appointment (Post Operative Instructions)

• Avoid chewing until numbness goes away, may be numb for several hours
• Brush and floss normally
• If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms of infection are gone
• It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after root canal therapy. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended before the anesthetic has worn off
• To further reduce discomfort and/or swelling, rinse your mouth with warm salt-water 3X/day. (1tsp/8oz. Glass)
• If we placed a temporary filling or crown (link to temp post op)

Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have sensitivity or discomfort that increases or continues beyond 3-4 days or if you have any questions or concerns.

Before / After

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