Root Canal Treatment in Whitehouse

A patient’s view of root canals says a lot about their overall perspective on dentistry. An individual who has an image of root canal as an extraordinarily painful procedure that must be avoided at all costs, may often dread visiting the dentist. This patient will put off routine visits and often neglect minor problems until they grow to become complex conditions that require major treatment.

Anxiety-Free Procedure

A person with this view of root canals hasn’t had one in recent years. Modern technological advances have made the feared procedure more comfortable, convenient and pain-free than ever before. Although no one is going to choose root canal over a spa treatment, there is little reason for anxiety or procrastination when it comes to today’s state-of-the-art root canal techniques.

Causes of Tooth Distress

There are times when root canals become necessary through no fault of the patient. Any time the interior nerve of a tooth becomes exposed to the outside environment, the tooth is at risk and the procedure is a last line of defense. Injuries that create cracks in the tooth can have this effect, leaving the nerve vulnerable to microbes that will infect and inflame the interior of the tooth.

When this happens, the nerve, along with surrounding pulp, must be entirely removed. The remaining void is disinfected and filled with a flexible composite material that will add strength to the tooth while preventing future infections. The composite is either a resin material or a special dental substance known as gutta-percha, which is injected into the teeth with a “heat gun.” After about 15 minutes, the gutta-percha hardens into a strong structural support material. The last step is to seal the tooth with a secure dental crown.

Most of the time, the nerve becomes inflamed when dental decay reaches deep into the tooth. Neglect and delay in seeking dental treatment aggravate the condition. Patients who have ignored the growing cavity are ultimately compelled to act because of intensifying pain, which can become severe.

Symptoms and Solution

The gums may also begin to swell; chewing and other jaw motions may become more difficult; and the tooth may become highly sensitive to the temperature of foods. The affected tooth may even appear to change color. If a patient still ignores these warning signs and somehow endures the pain, the risks multiply. Root canal infections can spread to the neck, head and jaw, with serious consequences.

At Dental Health Associates, our advanced root canal procedure is performed under local anesthetic, and involves use of a narrow drill to reach the tooth interior. In addition to clearing out the interior pulp and disinfecting the chamber, the root of the tooth must also be cleaned. Your dentist uses an apex locator to find the tip of the root and clean its entire length. When your dentist begins a root canal, it is a race to save your tooth. Without successful root canal treatment, the only remaining option will be extraction.

To learn more about root canals, or to schedule an appointment, contact Dental Health Associates of Whitehouse today.