Root Canals: What To Expect

toothcircleblueWhen it comes to receiving dental care, patients often feel unsure about what to expect. In some cases, this lack of information can become quite the stumbling block. For instance, if you are not sure what to expect from root canal treatment, you may hesitate to schedule a necessary appointment due to your fear of the unknown. Fortunately, we are more than happy to provide you with the missing details that will help you feel confident and reassured about your upcoming restorative treatment.

We Establish Comfort

The first step in your root canal treatment always includes establishing comfort. We will begin by numbing your tissues with a local anesthetic. This includes both your tooth that we plan to treat as well as the tissue that surrounds your tooth. You will not need to worry about your comfort.

We Clear Infected Tissue

We have suggested root canal treatment because the tissue in your tooth – call dental pulp – is infected and inflamed. Within pulp reside blood vessels as well as nerves. Unfortunately, your pulp isn’t going to heal on its own. Instead, we must remove the dental pulp to prevent the need for an extraction. This is simple: We will create an opening in your tooth and remove the tissue from within.

We Restore Your Tooth

After we have removed the infected pulp and cleared away any final traces of tissue with root canal treatment, we need to restore your tooth so it can remain in your smile. This means sealing your roots with a rubber-like substance known as gutta percha. We may fill your tooth and will finish by covering it with a dental crown.