Root Canal
Root canal: These two words, otherwise known as an “endodontic treatment”, mean an end to your pain and discomfort. They no longer mean anxiety in the dentist’s chair! We take extra care to make sure our patient are comfortable, using sedatives and numbing techniques. This dental procedure is utilized to save a tooth that, in the past, would have simply been pulled and lost. Why is the procedure needed? Injuries sustained to the mouth and decay can lead to an infection of dental pulp, which, in turn, can result in a painful abscess. An endodontic treatment can alleviate infection, end the pain, and save your tooth!
Call now and speak with a root canal specialist: 410-730-3800
Don’t wait for the condition to worsen!
A root canal is a therapeutic approach to helping patients save their teeth after they have developed an infection in their dental pulp. Dental pulp is soft tissue that resides inside of the teeth beneath the crown and enamel. It contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues that help support the teeth and keep them anchored into the jawbone. Following an injury or the spread of decay, patients can develop infections in the pulp, which can ultimately lead to abscesses.
You may be facing a root canal, if you have experienced – or are experiencing – any of the following symptoms of infection:
- Fever (Any temperature reading above 98.6° Fahrenheit)
- Pain when chewing or eating
- Sensitivity to atmospheric and/or food and beverage temperatures
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Foul odor to the breath
- Swollen glands in the neck
- General discomfort, uneasiness or feelings of illness
- Redness accompanied with a swelling of the gums
- Swelling in the region(s) of the upper and/or lower jaw
- An open, seeping or draining sore on the side of the gum
Avoiding a root canal due to the fear of the procedure is actually counterproductive and it can wind up costing not only your tooth but, in serious cases, abscessed teeth have even cost patients their lives. An infection that begins in the tooth can be spread throughout the rest of the body by the means of the blood stream. This is why any pain or sensitivity in the mouth should be addressed as soon as symptoms occur.
A root canal is performed as follows:
- A sedative or local anesthetic is provided to the patient
- The infected tooth is isolated from saliva and other contaminants by a dental dam
- The crown of the tooth is opened to remove the infected pulp
- The affected roots are cleaned and shaped and in some cases treated with medication to eliminate bacteria
- A temporary filling is placed inside the crown to protect the tooth
- Antibiotics may be prescribed in cases when the infection has spread beyond the roots
- Another appointment is scheduled and the patient is given time to heal
- The temporary filling is removed at the second visit
- The root channel is permanently filled and sealed
- A permanent filling or crown is used to restore the tooth
Today we have methods of helping even the most fearful of patients face their dental procedures with confidence and comfort.
Call now to schedule an appointment at 410-730-3800
Root canal will alleviate your pain!
Come visit our office and consult a dentist about a root canal in Columbia, Clarksville, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Highland, Laurel, Silver Spring, Olney and the nearby communities. We offer financing for patients who qualify, which makes high quality dentistry available to virtually everyone with a working budget!