Relieve Your Pain With Dr. Sheehan
No medical procedure has gotten as bad of a reputation as root canal treatment. However, it’s a relatively painless procedure while it’s happening, and it serves a valuable purpose, so much of that fear is unfounded.
If you face the option of either losing your teeth or undergoing a root canal procedure, choosing the root canal procedure can save time, money, and your tooth compared to other options.
Learn how Dr. Sheehan and her exceptional dental team can save your natural tooth, giving you a healthy and happy smile for years to come.
What is a Root Canal?
To understand a root canal, you must first understand what makes up a tooth. Your teeth have three layers:
- The outer enamel layer that covers the entire visible part of the tooth.
- Under the enamel is another hard layer called the dentin.
- Inside the dentin is the pulp where all the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue are found.
The pulp, soft tissue provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth and runs like a thread down through the root, or the root canals. When cavities or cracks damage the enamel of teeth, bacteria can enter the pulp and cause infection.
In addition to being extremely painful, diseased pulp tissue can die and spread through the root to the bone tissue below. Without root canal therapy, patients are at risk of losing their infected tooth by eventually needing to be extracted.
Advantages of Getting a Root Canal
There are many benefits to undergoing root canal therapy, including:
- Eliminate the need for tooth extraction
- Relieve pain, swelling, and discomfort
- Prevent further damage, infection, or even tooth loss
- Enhance your smile with a natural-looking restoration
What to Expect With Root Canal Therapy
At Oakland Family Dental, we understand getting a root canal can be an intimidating treatment for any patient – that’s why Dr. Sheehan focuses on educating patients on the entire process before treatment.
Before your procedure starts, the tooth and surrounding tissue are numbed and a dental dam is placed to keep the area dry. Once your tooth is numb, Dr. Sheehan will make a small hole behind the infected tooth. She’ll use specialized instruments to remove the infected pulp, decayed nerve tissues, and other debris.
The inner tooth cavity is then cleaned and sealed off to prevent further reinfection. We’ll fill the empty pulp chamber and root canals with a rubber-based material known as gutta-percha and sealed with adhesive cement. A composite resin filling is later placed over the access hole.
Once your tooth has healed, our Waterford dentist will place a porcelain crown over the tooth to reinforce your bite and to protect the tooth from additional damage. While your tooth may be sensitive right after treatment, these symptoms subside within a few days.
Oakland Family Dental Can Save Your Damaged Tooth!
While the idea can seem overwhelming, root canal therapy is a highly effective procedure that can save your smile from more severe complications down the line. If you’re experiencing toothaches or sensitivity, contact Oakland Family Dental today by calling (248) 674-0384 to see if a root canal can help you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is root canal therapy painful?
While root canals are assumed to be a painful procedure, many of our Waterford patients are pleased to find that modern root canal therapy is quick and painless. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort. Best of all, it can save your tooth and preserve your smile!
It’s likely you may experience some sensitivity following the procedure, but it should go away within a few days. Dr. Sheehan recommends taking over-the-counter medications to soothe any pain or discomfort you may feel after your root canal treatment.
How long does it take to recover from a root canal?
In most cases, it takes just a few days to recover from the sensitivity and discomfort associated with root canal therapy. If any pain persists, it’s important to contact our Waterford office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. We’ll examine the surgical site and determine the best solution to help relieve your pain.
What can I eat after a root canal?
It’s best to stay away from hard, crunchy, or chewy foods after your procedure, and avoid hot beverages for the first 24 hours. Consume plenty of cold beverages and try adopting a softer diet ⎼ some foods Dr. Sheehan recommends smoothies, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and pasta. Once the sutures are removed, you’ll be able to eat and drink without restrictions.
What happens if I don’t get a root canal?
If you’re in need of root canal therapy, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further infection or damage. If left untreated, the infection in your tooth can spread to other parts of your body, like your jaw, blood, and brain ⎼ resulting in serious health problems.