-
Do you have a lingering toothache that comes and goes? Or maybe a tooth that has become increasingly sensitive to hot and cold or that hurts when you bite? If so, it’s important to have your tooth evaluated by a dentist in East Gwillimbury, ON. Untreated tooth decay can lead to extensive dental problems and the urgent risk of losing a tooth. At Harvest Hills Dental Care, we offer root canal treatment to eliminate deep decay and tooth infection and prevent the need for extraction.
When oral bacteria infect the inner pulp chamber of the tooth, either via a fracture or untreated decay, it will continue to spread, causing painful symptoms including inflammation and pressure. Root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, will remove this infected bundle of nerves inside the tooth to alleviate pain yet preserve the natural tooth structure.
Few things get more negative response than the mention of a root canal. While this procedure often gets a bad reputation, it is quite like a traditional filling and will eliminate the pain of an infected tooth. During a root canal, the entire treatment area is thoroughly numbed to ensure that the procedure is comfortable. Once the infected nerve tissue has been removed, the tooth will no longer have the sensation of pain, making the recovery manageable with just a day or two of over the counter pain relievers.
Because root canal treatment requires removing the vascular and nerve tissue inside the tooth, the natural structure is not strong enough to withstand the force of biting and chewing. To solve this, we will complete your root canal treatment by placing a strong, natural-looking porcelain crown over the entire portion of the tooth. The porcelain crown is custom designed to look just like your natural teeth so no one will notice it within the smile.
Our team describes a root canal as a dental procedure specifically designed to save a tooth that’s badly infected or decayed. It cleans out the damaged pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the tooth, preventing further damage. If you are feeling pain, have swelling, or experience extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, a root canal might be the treatment your smile needs!
Not at all! Modern root canal therapy is no more painful than having a filling put in. The procedure is surprisingly comfortable with today’s advanced techniques and numbing options. This is contrary to what you may have heard. With appropriate sedation and anesthetics, you can relax in the dental chair from start to finish with minimal anxiety or discomfort.
You might require root canal treatment, or endodontic therapy, if you have deep decay, a cracked tooth, or an infection that has reached the dental pulp, which is the soft tissues inside your tooth. Root canal treatment is your dental team’s way of saving your natural teeth instead of extracting them and replacing them with dentures, bridges, or dental implants.
The good news is that root canals are usually a one-appointment deal! Depending on the complexity, it could take around 60-90 minutes. Bring a podcast or music playlist, and it will be over before you know it!
You’ll want to stick to soft foods for the first day or two, but after that, you can return to enjoying your favorite meals. Just make sure to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the root canal treatment was until our dental team confirms everything is completely healed.
Taking care of your smile following root canal treatment is simple! Brush and floss like you normally would and stay consistent with regular dental checkups. Treat it like your other teeth, and you will keep that smile shining bright and staying healthy!
If you believe that you are in need of root canal therapy or any other type of dental intervention to save your smile, we invite you to schedule an appointment with the team at Harvest Hills Dental Care by calling (365) 659-1008 today!
Absolutely! Following a root canal, your dentist might add a dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth. With proper care, your treated tooth can last a lifetime, doing its job as originally intended.
Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine is the best defense. Brush twice a day, floss regularly, and don’t skip those dental check-ups at Harvest Hills Dental Care. Also, avoid chomping down on hard objects like ice or popcorn kernels.
With good oral hygiene and routine dental examinations, you may never need a root canal treatment, however, if you do, the team at Harvest Hills Dental Care is here for you. Call us today at (365) 659-1008 to book an appointment.
