When you experience an infection or trauma to a tooth, we may recommend a root canal. We will be able to treat your condition right here in our Overland Park, KS dental office. Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections. Many of our patients express fear or concern about pain when it comes to having a root canal. However, the symptoms you feel are often the most painful part of the procedure. Because root canals eliminate your infection and promote healing, you should begin to improve soon after your treatment.
A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).
While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments. Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.
At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function.
After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed. You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your treatment.
A root canal procedure involves several steps and may require two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth. This is to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
Next, they will drill a small hole in the tooth to access the inside of the tooth. Your dentist will use a special tool to remove all of the infected tissue and nerves. Once this is complete, you should feel relief. Your dentist will use an antibacterial solution to clean out and disinfect the inside of the tooth. Once it is clean, they will fill the root canal with a rubber material called gutta percha. Then the hole is sealed with a dental filling. It is likely that your dentist will recommend a dental crown. This will help strengthen the tooth and protect it from damage.
If you have a toothache that won't go away, it may be time to find a dentist who does root canals in Overland Park, KS. Gilroy Dental Care can help you get relief for your tooth aches, and help you discern why you're hurting. Sometimes the cause of the pain is a tooth that is infected and needs a root canal.
Though many jokes have been told about root canals, modern dental technology is very effective and root canals are a relatively painless way to clear out a tooth infection and save your natural tooth or teeth, while also helping rid you of your tooth pain. The dentists at Gilroy Dental Care wants to help you keep your natural teeth, whenever it is possible, and he specializes in oral surgery, including root canals.
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 from falling right out of your mouth.
The alternative to a root canal is often a tooth extraction. Saving the natural tooth is desired because it prevents the development of additional dental problems after a tooth is lost or extracted: loss of bone in the jaw, shifting of teeth, and the detrimental effects on eating and speaking if not replaced quickly. Tooth replacement is also a more complicated and costly process.
Gilroy Dental Care has been helping Overland Park patients find relief from pain with a root canal for years.
If you feel you may be in need of a root canal, contact the friendly staff at (913) 681-1900 or
request an appointment online today!