Root Canals

Are root canals a type of oral surgery?

Yes. A root canal is an outpatient procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp from the center of your tooth. Pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. It lets you feel temperature sensations, like hot and cold, but isn’t necessary for a tooth’s survival. Removing the pulp from your tooth stops the pain, prevents the infection from spreading, and preserves your smile. 

Who should consider root canal therapy?

Consider root canal therapy at Smile By the Station Dentistry if you have:

• Tooth pain that won’t go away
• Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
• Swollen gums
• A pimple underneath your gums
• Tooth discoloration
• Pain when biting or chewing
• A loose tooth

Infected tooth pulp doesn’t always present obvious symptoms. Routine checkups at Smile By the Station Dentistry provide peace of mind and alert you to potential problems before they worsen.

How do I prepare for a root canal?

Before recommending a root canal, your Smile By the Station Dentistry provider completes an oral exam and orders dental X-rays. If you have a severe tooth pulp infection, they prescribe antibiotics to reduce inflammation and prevent it from worsening. 

You need to stop smoking and using tobacco leading up to the procedure. Tobacco affects your body’s ability to heal itself, so it increases the risk of complications. 

What do root canals involve?

Root canals at Smile By the Station Dentistry average 45-60 minutes.

Your dentist administers a local anesthetic at the beginning of your appointment to numb your mouth. Then, they make a small opening in the top of your tooth and remove the infected pulp.

Your dentist cleans debris from the center of your tooth and rinses it with an antiseptic solution to eradicate any remaining bacteria. Then, they fill the inside of your tooth with a material called gutta-percha and take digital impressions.

Your dentist sends the digital impressions of your tooth to a nearby lab that creates a custom crown. A week or two later, when the crown is finished, you return to Smile By the Station Dentistry to try it on.

Your dentist bonds the crown on top of your treated tooth and checks your bite. They remove any excess material and explain how to keep your crown in top condition. 

Call Smile By the Station Dentistry today to schedule a root canal consultation, or book your appointment online.