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Relieve Pain and Save Your Natural Tooth
If you are feeling severe pain in a tooth, or notice tenderness when you touch it, you may need root canal therapy. At Anderson Dental Group in Payson, AZ, we offer a comfortable and efficient root canal procedure within a warm, relaxed atmosphere, so you can get relief without added stress.
A root canal is often misunderstood as a painful procedure, but in reality, it is designed to eliminate pain, not cause it. By treating the infected or injured pulp inside your tooth, root canal therapy stops the source of discomfort and allows you to keep your natural tooth rather than losing it altogether. With modern techniques and advanced dental care, root canal therapy can help restore your tooth’s function, protect your oral health, and prevent the need for more extensive treatments in the future.
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What Is a Root Canal?
The root canal is the cavity in the root of a tooth that is filled with pulp, the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels. The term is also commonly used to describe the process of treating infected or injured pulp. When the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or damaged, it can lead to severe pain in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, making prompt dental attention necessary.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Several symptoms can signal that the pulp inside a tooth has become infected or inflamed. You may need root canal therapy if you notice:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food and liquids
- Tenderness while chewing
- A noticeable change in the color of a tooth
- Swelling of the surrounding gum tissue
- Severe and persistent pain
Common causes of this kind of inflammation include deep decay, a chip or crack in the tooth, repeated dental procedures performed on the same tooth, or an injury that does not leave a visible crack. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it is worth scheduling an exam as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading further.
What to Expect from the Root Canal Procedure
Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is usually completed in a four-step process across two office visits. Here is what to expect:
Numbing the Tooth
Using local anesthesia, we numb the tooth to prevent discomfort, then place a small rubber sheet around it to keep the area dry and clean throughout the procedure.
1
Removing the Infected Pulp
Using a small tool, we create a tiny opening at the top of the tooth and carefully remove the infected pulp, then use an antimicrobial solution to disinfect the inner chamber of the tooth.
2
Filling the Tooth
Once the tooth is clean and dry, we fill it with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and seal it with a temporary filling while your permanent crown is prepared.
3
Placing the Permanent Crown
After a few weeks, you will return so we can complete your root canal treatment by placing a durable porcelain crown, supported by a post, over the treated tooth.
4
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
Choosing root canal therapy over extraction offers several important advantages:
- Pain relief: The intense pain associated with an infected tooth stops, eliminating the need to continue relying on pain relievers.
- Prevention of abscess formation: Treating the infection early helps prevent a painful abscess from developing.
- Stopped infection spread: Root canal therapy prevents the infection from spreading to neighboring teeth and surrounding tissue.
- Restored ability to chew: Most patients are able to bite and chew normally again within a few days of treatment.
- A saved natural tooth: Root canal therapy preserves your natural tooth, avoiding the gaps and additional treatment that come with extraction.
Do Not Ignore Tooth Pain
Persistent tooth pain is your body's way of signaling that something needs attention. Schedule a consultation with Anderson Dental Group to find relief and protect your natural tooth before the problem gets worse.
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