Root Canal Therapy in Wilmington & Seaford, DE

The Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain

A severely infected tooth can be bad news for your entire smile if not treated. Fortunately, Dr. Paul Brown and Dr. Christopher Baran provide gentle root canal therapy for patients in Wilmington and Seaford, DE to eliminate tooth pain and infection. Most people think undergoing a root canal is painful. However, this couldn’t be more false. See how we can treat your unique smile with exceptional dental care and help you save them from extraction.

What’s Root Canal Therapy?

Your teeth are made up of many different layers, including the outer enamel, dentin, and soft tissue core. When this core becomes infected due to bacteria or an untreated cavity, root canal therapy is needed. This simple routine procedure is designed to completely disinfect the inside of your tooth and preserve it with a dental crown to stop any further irritation or damage.

Undergoing a root canal is virtually painless since your dentist will apply a local anesthetic beforehand. In fact, many patients describe the experience of root canal therapy as similar to that of getting a filling. Our dental team will be there every step of the way to ensure your overall comfort.

When Is Root Canal Therapy Needed?

Your tooth pulp can become infected for any number of reasons such as decay and trauma. Our dentist will examine your tooth to determine if a root canal is needed. Some signs you should be aware of include:

• Discolored teeth
• Persistent pain and discomfort
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperature
• Tenderness in lymph nodes or gum tissue
• Gum swelling or irritation

It’s also important to maintain regular check-ups with either Dr. Brown or Dr. Baran to ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned. Some infections can be asymptomatic and are only discoverable by a skilled dental professional during an exam.

The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Undergoing a root canal can save a tooth that’s severely infected. This can help prevent the need for tooth extraction. Other benefits include:

• Prevents tooth loss
• Keeps adjacent teeth healthy
• Prevents jawbone deterioration
• Virtually painless procedure

The Root Canal Therapy Process

Modern advancements in dental techniques have made root canals much easier to perform and more comfortable for the patient. Your dentist will first administer a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort you may experience and place a protective sheet known as a dental dam to isolate the tooth. This will keep the tooth clean throughout the procedure.

A small hole is then made so that your dentist can remove the infected pulp from within the tooth structure. Once the infected pulp has been extracted, the chamber is then disinfected and filled using a rubber-like dental composite called gutta-percha. This prevents your tooth from being infected again. Your dentist will then fill in the hole and place a custom restoration like a dental crown if necessary.

Root Canal Procedure Preparation

If you’re planning to get a root canal to treat your infected tooth, the procedure itself may be daunting. But worry not! Our Delaware restorative dentists understand it can be overwhelming to get the things and information you need for your treatment. That’s why we created a guide for preparing for your root canal surgery to ease your worries.