How Does a Root Canal Work?
If you don’t visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleaning, or if you don’t maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home, your teeth will develop plaque and tartar. This plaque and tartar can harbor dangerous bacteria that contributes to bad breath, gingivitis, dental cavities, and tooth decay. Without intervention, you may develop an infection that requires root canal therapy or tooth extraction. At Smile Arts Dental, our goal is to provide preventive dental care that reduces our patients’ risk of tooth decay. Learn more about why you might need a root canal in Carmel, IN.
Signs You Need a Root Canal Procedure
When bacteria gets into the pulp of your tooth, it can cause an infection. Root canal therapy can save your tooth and prevent the need for a tooth extraction. Visit our dentist, Dr. Alex Balaban, for an exam and teeth cleaning if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Tooth pain that doesn’t subside
- Heat and cold sensitivity
- Swollen, red, tender, or bleeding gums
- Pimples or bumps on the gums
- Swollen, inflamed, or tender jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Bad breath
- Pain when you chew, bite down, or apply pressure to your tooth or jaw
- A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- A loose tooth
- A fever combined with tooth or jaw pain and/or swelling
What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure
Before your root canal procedure, Dr. Balaban will take dental x-rays to examine your affected tooth and assess the extent of the damage. He will then use a local anesthesia to numb your teeth and gums. He will place a dental dam in your mouth to keep the area dry during the procedure. He will then drill a tiny hole in the tooth’s crown to access the dental pulp. He will remove all infected pulp, nerves, tissues, and blood vessels and will clean and disinfect the pulp chamber and root canals. He will then fill the canals with a putty-like dental material, and place a temporary filling over the tooth.
After Your Root Canal
Most people experience some minor discomfort after a root canal, and you can take over the counter pain relievers and use ice packs to treat pain and swelling. You will need to come into our office again in one to two weeks to have your permanent dental crown placed. The dental crown protects your tooth from damage, and prevents bacteria from infecting your tooth again.
Visit Our Dentist in Carmel, IN
If you suspect you may need a root canal in Carmel, IN, visit us today at Smile Arts Dental. Dr. Balaban will do a thorough exam, take x-rays, and perform a professional teeth cleaning. Call us today or schedule an appointment online.
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Root Canal
