Save Your Natural Tooth With Root Canal Therapy at Northwind Dental
Root canal therapy saves a tooth that’s become infected or damaged. While many patients are apprehensive about root canal treatment as it has a reputation for being painful, it’s a safe way to restore oral health and maintain natural teeth.
Dr. Dawson, the best dentist in Wasilla, at Northwind Dental wants you to feel comfortable with root canal therapy and is here to help patients prepare for treatment so they can feel more at ease going into their procedures.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that involves removing the infected or damaged pulp from the tooth and replacing it with a dental filling. A root canal treatment helps save the tooth from extraction and prevents further damage or infection from occurring.
Anatomy of a Tooth
Each tooth is made of three parts:
- Crown: The crown is the visible part of the tooth above the gum line. It’s covered by a protective layer called enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body.
- Dentin: Beneath the enamel lies the dentin, a yellowish layer that forms the bulk of the tooth structure. Dentin isn’t as hard as enamel but still provides support and protection.
- Pulp: The innermost part of the tooth is known as the pulp. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, playing a vital role in tooth development during childhood. When the pulp becomes infected or damaged, it can lead to pain, sensitivity, and even tooth loss.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
A root canal may be necessary for several situations, including:
- Dental Decay: When a cavity is left untreated, it can spread to the tooth’s pulp and cause infection.
- Dental Trauma: A tooth that’s been fractured or chipped can allow bacteria to enter the pulp and cause infection.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease can create pockets that form around the tooth, allowing bacteria to enter and infect the pulp.
When left untreated, an infected or damaged tooth can cause pain, swelling, and other complications. Root canal therapy is often the best way to treat these issues and prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue.
If you’re suffering from any of the problems mentioned above, call our Wasilla dental office today at (907) 373-2440 and schedule your consultation with Dr. Dawson.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
There are many benefits of root canal treatment, including:
- Saving the Tooth: Root canal therapy can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
- Relieving Pain: Root canal treatment can alleviate pain and discomfort caused by infection or damage to the pulp.
- Preventing Further Damage: By removing the infected or damaged pulp, root canals can prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue.
- Restoring Function: With a filling in place, a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment can be fully restored and function normally.
Signs of Dental Infection
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have developed a dental infection:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Pain when chewing or biting
If you’re experiencing any of these dental infection signs, schedule an appointment with Dr. Dawson as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Endodontic Treatment Options
Various endodontic treatments may be recommended depending on your dental condition. Alternative treatments for root canal therapy include:
- Apicoectomy: In some cases, standard root canal therapy may not be enough to treat the infection or damage to the tooth. In these cases, an apicoectomy may be necessary. It involves removing the root’s tip and any infected tissue and sealing the root to prevent further infection.
- Pulp Capping: If the damage to the tooth is minor and hasn’t caused an infection, your dentist may recommend a pulp capping procedure. It involves placing special material over the damaged pulp to help it heal and prevent further damage.
- Regenerative Endodontics: This is a newer type of root canal therapy that helps the damaged pulp in young teeth heal and regenerate. This involves using special materials to stimulate the growth of new pulp tissue and blood vessels in the tooth.
- Root Canal Retreatment: In some cases, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may become infected again. In these cases, non-surgical root canal retreatment may be necessary to remove the infection and restore the tooth.
- Non-Surgical Root Canal: A minimally invasive option that treats tooth decay without the need for incisions or cuts.
- Pulpotomy: An alternative to pediatric root canals that removes the infected from a child’s baby tooth while preserving as much of the healthy pulp as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Root canal therapy is considered safe. The treatment involves removing the infected or damaged pulp from the tooth’s root canal and then filling it with a biocompatible material, saving the tooth from extraction.
Root canal therapy can be done on most teeth, but there may be some exceptions. Teeth with severe decay, extensive damage, or fractures may not be suitable for root canal treatment. In some cases, a tooth may need extraction instead.
During the root canal procedure, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, so the patient won’t feel any pain. Some patients may experience mild discomfort or sensitivity during and after the procedure, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Generally, a root canal procedure can be completed in one or two visits, with each visit lasting around one or two hours. After a root canal treatment, the tooth may need to be restored with a crown or filling to protect it and restore its function.
Don’t Put Off the Treatment You Need
Root canal therapy may seem intimidating, but with the right information and a qualified dentist, it can be a safe and effective way to treat various dental problems. By understanding what it is, how it’s done, and when necessary, you can make informed decisions about your dental health and get the care you need to keep your smile healthy and bright.
Call our Wasilla, AK, dentist at (907) 373-2440 to schedule a consultation today.