The Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
The Root Cause of Your Tooth PainA 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The length of your root canal procedure will take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. However, the exact time depends on the number of teeth that require treatment as well as the severity of your infection. During your initial consultation, your dentist will provide an accurate timeline of how long your root canal procedure will take.
Undergoing a root canal is virtually painless since your dentist will apply a local anesthetic beforehand. Most patients compare the experience of getting a root canal treatment to that of receiving a tooth filling. While it’s normal to feel some discomfort or sensitivity afterward, this can be managed with an ice pack compress or over-the-counter pain medication.
Most insurance companies should help cover a portion of your root canal therapy. Your dentist will likely advise you to reach out to your provider to get a clearer understanding of your policy’s coverage. Any questions you may have can be answered by your dentist and their staff to ensure that your root canal is a cost-effective and beneficial investment.
It’s unlikely that your tooth may become reinfected again since root canals have a 98 percent success rate. However, if your tooth does become infected again, your dentist will likely perform a root canal retreatment to get rid of any lingering bacteria that may have been missed. Contact your dentist if you notice that your symptoms are coming back or if your tooth is sensitive.
Visit Us to Painlessly Fix Your Tooth’s Root!
At Brown & Baran Family Dentistry, we’re here to help all of our patients comfortably restore their smiles. If you’re currently experiencing tooth pain or suspect an infection, call either our Wilmington, MI office at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford, MI office at (302) 536-7589. You can also fill out our contact form and our team will get back to you shortly. We proudly provide root canal therapy to patients in the Pike Creek, Marshallton, and Stanton, DE areas.
