What is a root canal?
A root canal is a dental therapy used by the team at Universal Dental Care to save severely infected teeth. When the inner tissue of a tooth becomes infected, it can cause discomfort, pain, and weaken the tooth to the point it may break or fall out. By removing this infected or dead tissue from the inside of the tooth, we can save the tooth and prevent the need for extraction.
What are signs I need a root canal?
Pain is the major indicator that you require a root canal. This pain may be constant, or could flare up at specific times, such as biting or drinking hot or cold beverages.
Some other signs you may require a root canal include:
- Red, swelling gums around the affected tooth
- Bad breath
- A lump in the gum around the tooth
- Darkening or staining of the tooth
It’s also possible that there are no obvious signs, while still requiring a root canal. The team at Universal Dental Care are able to see the hidden signs during a regular oral check and clean, so it’s important to have your regular scheduled exams.
How is a root canal performed?
A root canal typically requires two appointments. During each appointment, your Universal Dental Care dentist will thoroughly numb the treatment area, so there is no pain during treatment.
To perform the root canal, the dentist must drill a small hole into the affected tooth. Fine instruments are then used to remove the infected and dead tissue within the tooth. Once the tooth is emptied, a gum-like material is injected into the tooth to prevent reinfection and restore the inner support.
After the treatment, the tooth is given a temporary crown or filling. An impression is made so that a permanent crown can be made, which will be placed at a later date once the crown has been fabricated in the lab.
The friendly team at Universal Dental Care take every measure to ensure your root canal therapy is as comfortable and pain-free as possible. You’ll be left with a tooth that’s in great shape and ready to serve you for many more years to come.
Think you need a root canal? Contact Universal Dental Care in Federal Way, WA today via phone, or using the online contact form. Universal Dental Care services many areas of Washington, with dentist in Edgewood WA, dentists in Kent WA, and dentist in Des Moines WA. Call us today or use the online scheduler to find out more.
