Root Canal Therapy in Canton
At Dentistry at Hickory Flat, our dentists do everything in their power to help patients maintain their healthy teeth, including providing root canal therapy. This procedure may have a “bad reputation,” but truthfully, it’s a simple service that’s comfortable, effective, and has incredibly high success rates in the long-term. If you have failing teeth that are in need of rescue, contact our Canton location today to schedule your first appointment.
What is a root canal?
Root canals have been around for many years, and they become necessary when a patient’s tooth is suffering from advanced dental decay that’s penetrated the innermost layer. Today, root canals are very comfortable and only take two appointments – one for the actual procedure, and one for a brief follow-up visit.
How do root canals work?
First, one of our Canton dentists will carefully create a small hole in the tooth that gives us access to the inner pulp and canals. These canals contain the tooth’s nerves, connective tissue, and blood supply, which are vital during the development of the teeth but no longer needed when the patient is an adult. If you find yourself experiencing a serious toothache, it’s likely that this vulnerable interior area has become infected and needs to be treated. Other tell-tale symptoms include noticeable swelling and having trouble chewing properly.
Once our team has created the hole, we will use special instruments in order to thoroughly remove the infected pulp and tissue. We’ll also clean the area and replace the lost pulp with a biocompatible substance called gutta-percha before sealing it shut to prevent further infection. As a final touch, a custom-made restoration (typically a crown) will be anchored in place over the treated tooth in order to rebuild the tooth’s natural shape and strength.
Most patients don’t require anything more than local anesthesia to receive a root canal successfully. Patients are instructed to care for their tooth in a gentle manner for a few days following the procedure, and you can take painkillers like ibuprofen to manage any noticeable discomfort. With the help of proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams every six months, patients can look forward to maintaining their revitalized tooth for many years.