The mere mention of a root canal puts many people on edge. However, with modern technology and dental sedation, a root canal procedure is no more painful than having a dental filling. Columbus, GA, dentist Dr. Albert Caves uses root canal therapy to preserve natural teeth. Root canal therapy is just one of the general dentistry services we offer to the public in Columbus.
If you have tooth pain, sensitivity, or discomfort, you may need a root canal. Dr. Caves will perform a thorough examination and create a custom treatment plan to restore your oral health and comfort.
What is the Root Canal?
The term “root canal” refers to the natural chamber at the tooth’s center. Inside the root canal is soft tissue called pulp. The dental pulp consists of the nerves and blood vessels that keep your teeth alive.
When harmful bacteria or debris enter this area, they cause an infection. As harmful bacteria break down the natural tooth enamel, they can create a dental cavity, which is a hole in the enamel. When bacteria enter the cavity, they can access the dental pulp. Root canal therapy occurs when the dentist removes the infected pulp and cleans and seals the tooth.
What is an Abscess?
In extreme cases, a tooth infection can create an abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus, typically at the tip of the tooth root. If you have infected dental pulp, it can increase your risk of an abscess. If an abscess ruptures, you may no longer feel pain, but that does not mean you’re cured. The infection can spread to different parts of the body.
An abscessed tooth is serious and needs immediate treatment. Signs of a dental abscess can include fever, a bitter taste in the mouth, swollen gums, and throbbing tooth pain. If you believe you have an abscessed tooth, contact our office immediately to schedule emergency dental care.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
If you have these symptoms, you may need a root canal:
- Toothaches
- Bad breath
- Tooth sensitivity to pressure or temperature
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tooth discoloration (brown or grey teeth)
Contact our office when you notice a change in the comfort or appearance of your teeth or gums. If we can save your tooth, we may recommend a root canal.
Why Should You Get a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment offers many benefits. A root canal can:
- Improve Your Oral Health: Treating a tooth affected by infection can prevent the spread of infection throughout the mouth. It can also make brushing and flossing more comfortable.
- Make Daily Life More Comfortable: Living with tooth pain can make every day uncomfortable. Biting or chewing hard and crunchy foods with an infected tooth can also increase tooth pain. After you heal from a root canal, you can bite and chew without discomfort.
- Preserve Your Natural Tooth: In the most severe cases where we cannot save a natural tooth, we recommend tooth extraction. Root canal treatment is the best option to save an infected tooth. Treatment removes the source of infection and helps fill the canals to strengthen the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment in Columbus, GA
Root canal therapy usually requires multiple visits. First, Dr. Caves will take diagnostic X-rays to evaluate the tooth and root canal. With digital X-rays, we can see within the teeth to see which teeth have infected pulp. If you need a root canal, we will help schedule your treatment.
If you fear pain during your root canal treatment, don’t worry! We’re here to help.
To begin root canal treatment, we will provide a form of anesthesia to make you feel more calm and relaxed. We will also numb the treatment area for a pain-free root canal. If needed, we will use sedation. With sedation, you may feel sensation, but you will not feel pain.
We will drill a small hole in the affected tooth to access the infected tissue. Then, we will remove the damaged nerve and any debris inside the tooth. We will thoroughly clean and polish the inside of the root canal. In addition, we may permanently seal the tooth to keep out food and saliva between appointments.
Next, Dr. Caves will fill the root canal with a biocompatible rubber compound called gutta-percha, which helps seal the canals. Then, we will cover the tooth with a dental filling or crown. Crowns are tooth-colored caps we create from dental impressions. The crown will help protect your tooth if weakened from a root canal or if you have a large filling.
Root Canal: Post Treatment Instructions
We will provide specific instructions to help you as you heal after treatment. Some of these instructions include:
- Take Medication: Some discomfort is natural after treatments like root canal therapy, which treats infection. Take pain medication as prescribed, or take over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen.
- Rinse Your Mouth: A warm saltwater rinse can reduce swelling. Use it three times a day. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water to make the rinse.
- Eat Soft Foods: Following your procedure, the anesthetic will take several hours to wear off. We ask that you avoid eating until the numbness wears off to reduce the risk of biting your lips or tongue. When you eat, do not eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods because they can increase tooth pain. If possible, try to chew on the other side of your mouth from your treated tooth.
- Brush and Floss Carefully: You must keep your mouth clean after root canal treatment to prevent reinfection. However, brush and floss gently. Aggressive brushing, in particular, can increase pain and discomfort in the treated tooth.
Please get in touch with our office with questions as you heal. If you notice a change in the comfort or feel of your bite, let us know so we can provide an adjustment.
Save Your Natural Teeth
If you suspect you need root canal therapy, please contact our Columbus, Georgia, dental office to schedule an appointment. You can also call Dr. Caves at (706) 407-4851. Please let us know if you have questions about root canal treatment. Dr. Caves will be happy to help.