Emergency Dentistry: Root Canal Therapy in League City
Root canal therapy also known as endodontic therapy is a dental procedure that targets the inside of a tooth to remove any infection. Most people mistake it to be a painful procedure but root canal therapy is meant to stop the pain that the patient is going through. Root canal therapy may be treated as a dental emergency.
Candidates for root canal therapy
The following scenarios make it necessary for root canal therapy.
If the pulp becomes damaged, and the tissues inside the pulp die, root canal therapy is necessary to remove the dead part. If bacteria enter the pulp because of a loose filling or a cracked tooth, the infection needs to be treated with root canal therapy.
Where an injury occurred and caused hot or cold sensitivity on the tooth, root canal therapy will cure sensitivity.
Steps for root canal therapy
There are three steps involved in root canal therapy as follows
Cleaning the root canal
Your dentist or endodontist will use local anesthesia to numb the area and cut a small surface to access the root and remove dead pulp tissue. The root canal is left completely clean.
Filling in
Your dentist or endodontist will use a rubber-like material and adhesive cement to seal the canals.
Placing a crown
Your tooth will now become more fragile than it was before because the pulp has been removed. That’s why a dental crown is required to protect the tooth.
How painful is root canal therapy?
Many patients are worried about the pain however most root canal therapies are no more painful than having a cavity filled. The infection in the pulp is usually more painful than the treatment itself. When a patient is having severe pain from a root canal infection, root canal therapy is the best way to stop the pain and the infection. Once the protective crown is placed, the patient can now bite and chew normally. During the procedure, local anesthesia is used to ensure no pain is felt. After the procedure, prescribed over-the-counter medications are enough to relieve pain.
At Solaris Dental, we understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to oral health. If you or your loved one requires root canal therapy in League City, please reach out to us at 281-534-3414.
Root Canal in League City
A root canal is a procedure specifically designed to save you from losing a tooth. Our teeth are comprised of certain parts, one of them being the pulp. A tooth’s pulp is where the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue are housed. When this area becomes inflamed or infected, then a root canal procedure must be taken in order to save that tooth.
How Do I Know if I Might Need a Root Canal?
When your pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you will begin to feel symptoms that prompt you to take action.
Toothache
These are pretty common, but certain toothaches point to the possibility of an inflamed/infected pulp. If you experience sharp pain in the middle of the night that leads into a generalized headache, then your tooth’s root may be suffering.
Abscess
If you see a bump near the top part of a tooth and/or pus present in the mouth, then there is a good chance a root canal will be required.
Sensitivity
Extreme pain to hot and cold foods is a good indicator.
Discoloration
Dark discoloration on the tooth points to a deteriorated pulp. This is a severe sign.
Root Canal - Procedure
Root canals are often a two-appointment procedure, with the first appointment taking up to an hour to perform. The second appointment is for a dental crown since most of your tooth with be lost during the process and must be capped with a crown to restore its appearance.
Don't Wait
If you notice a recurring pain that doesn’t seem to halt, then contact our dentist immediately. It is always better to save a tooth than to have it extracted and replaced.
Feel free to call our office at 281-534-3414 to learn more about Root Canal Therapys in League City or any other services we provide. We will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
