Root Canals
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
There are many reasons that root canal therapy (also known as endodontic therapy) may be recommended for your tooth. The most common reason for requiring a root canal is a large cavity that has progressed deep into your tooth. Sensitive nerve tissues lie at the very center of teeth and travel in canals in the centers of the roots of teeth. Once bacteria from the cavity reach this nerve tissue, the tooth often becomes sensitive or painful. A root canal is the only successful method of treating this toothache other than extracting (removing) the tooth.
Other situations that may require a root canal are deep cracks or chips in a tooth. Sometimes a tooth may become infected without any pain or discomfort, but even in the absence of pain, a root canal may be needed to restore the tooth to health. Less frequently, a root canal may be recommended as a preventive measure so that planned dental work such as a crown or bridge will not result in future discomfort.
Persistent pain is often the first indication that something is wrong and that a root canal may be needed. However in some cases, we can spot an infection developing before it ever causes pain. It can come as a surprise to patients who are not yet in any discomfort that they have a deep cavity or mild infection that may require a root canal. If we spot a problem like this on an x-ray, we will show you so that you can see why we are recommending a particular treatment.
Root canal therapy allows us to treat the infection, relieve your discomfort, and save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.
How Is a Root Canal Done?
With all dental treatment, including root canal treatment, your comfort is our highest priority. The root canal will not be performed until we are sure that you are totally numb. In almost all cases, there is no pain during the procedure at all since you will be totally numb just as you would be for any other dental procedure.
Once you are numb and comfortable, Dr. Wahlers will remove any infected or inflamed nerve tissue and then sterilize the inside of the tooth and roots. At the end of the procedure, the empty canals in the roots of the tooth are sealed with a sealing material called gutta percha and then a filling is placed. During the procedure, two or three x-rays are typically taken for measurement purposes.
We often recommend a crown on a tooth that has had root canal therapy because removing the root can cause the tooth to become brittle. A crown protects the tooth and restores it to full function.
You may experience some discomfort or sensitivity for a day or so after the numbness goes away. Dr Wahlers can discuss with you whether or not any pain medication such as ibuprofen or Tylenol would be recommended.
Are You in Pain?
Are you experiencing pain? Pain is a sign that something is wrong. We can help. Call our East Norristown dental office today. We’ll perform a thorough examination and determine the cause of the pain and the appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whenever possible, it’s better to save an injured or infected tooth rather than extract it. Saving your tooth allows us to preserve the relationship between your teeth and your periodontal bone, which is better for your long-term health. Plus, since you don’t have to worry about the added expense of replacing the tooth, saving a tooth makes good sense financially as well.
Certain conditions, such as infections and deep decay, may require that we remove the nerves and the tissue in the center of your tooth and its roots. This procedure, endodontic therapy, is most commonly known as a root canal. Before we proceed, Dr. Wahlers will make sure that you are completely comfortable and that you won’t feel a thing during your treatment. In fact, since people who need a root canal are frequently in pain, getting a root canal will often give you relief!
Once the tooth has been cleaned out and disinfected, the canals in your roots (this is where the name comes from) will be sealed with a dental material. In some cases, we will also recommend that the treated tooth be crowned to restore it to full strength.
If you are experiencing dental pain, please don’t suffer. Call us and we’ll get you in quickly so we can treat your condition and relieve your pain.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Christopher Wahlers
Dr. Wahlers was born and raised in central New Jersey. He attended Gettysburg College for his undergraduate studies, where he majored in biology, graduating summa cum laude. During his undergraduate volunteer experiences in different medical settings, Christopher decided to pursue a career in dentistry.
During his time at New Jersey Dental School (Rutgers University), Christopher served as president of his class and graduated in 2003 as a member of the OKU National Dental Honor Society. He continued his education with an Advanced Dental Education residency program at Temple University.
Prior to Wahlers ...