Relieve Pain and Save Your Oral Health with Root Canal Treatment
When tooth decay extends to the pulp of a tooth, it may cause severe pain and compromise the tooth’s structure. At this point, Glow Dental Spa will recommend root canal therapy to clear the infection and save the tooth from extraction.Â
Root canals used to be painful decades ago, but modern endodontic treatments are fast and virtually painless thanks to advanced technologies. So, if you have an infected or damaged tooth, don’t delay treatment any longer. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Behshad Ahkami for gentle root canals.
How do I know I need a root canal?
Your tooth is more than just the visible outer layer (enamel); it is a complex structure with multiple components that work together to provide strength, nourishment, and function. Beneath the enamel lies the dentin, a softer tissue that makes up the bulk of the tooth. At the center of the tooth is the pulp chamber, which houses the dental pulp—comprised of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.Â
The enamel is the hard, protective outer layer. However, it can breached by deep decay, cracks, or faulty dental work, which can cause harmful bacteria to infiltrate the pulp chamber. When a tooth is infected, it leads to numerous unpleasant symptoms.Â
Some include:
- Severe tooth pain, especially when chewing
- Tooth sensitivity when consuming hot and cold foods
- Tooth discoloration (the tooth darkens as the blood supply is cut off)
- A pimple-like swelling near the infected tooth
- Swollen cheeks or face
Sometimes, a tooth may not show obvious symptoms yet still requires a root canal. Regular dental check-ups are essential; they help identify hidden problems, such as tooth infections, allowing for timely treatment.
What can I expect from root canal treatment?Â
The procedure is painless and is often completed in 1-3 visits. The treatment starts with a consultation with Dr. Ahkami. He examines the tooth in question with X-rays to determine the extent of the damage and the health of the surrounding bone.
After the initial examination, your root canal treatment involves the steps below.
- Anesthetizing your gums to ensure a pleasant dental experience
- Placing a rubber dam on your tooth to keep it dry
- Creating an access hole at the top of the tooth
- Using the access hole to flush out the diseased tissues
- Cleaning and sanitizing the tooth until all the infection is gone
- Sealing the tooth with gutta-percha to prevent future infections
- Restoring the tooth with a filling, although a crown is preferable if the tooth is severely weakened
When cared for correctly, a properly treated tooth can last many years—often a lifetime. This allows you to preserve your natural appearance and dental function.
Is dental extraction a viable alternative?
When a tooth becomes infected or damaged, the immediate solution is extraction. However, this seemingly straightforward option can lead to more complex and expensive challenges in the long run. Removing a tooth creates a gap that affects your smile and poses many potential problems, including bone loss, diminished functionality, and confidence issues.Â
To address these issues, teeth replacement options such as bridges, implants, or dentures become necessary. However, these vital solutions can be costly, not only in terms of the initial investment. They require long-term maintenance, and potential future replacements may be necessary.
Do you need a root canal?
A root canal is an excellent solution for relieving pain and saving a tooth that would otherwise need extraction if you have an infected or painful tooth, call (973) 954-4663 to schedule an appointment with Glow Dental Spa.Â
