General Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy For Relief and Infection

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(303) 557-6453

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Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is an extremely helpful procedure that can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. While there are still misconceptions surrounding root canals, a root canal procedure is actually relatively simple and pain-free.

Root canal therapy involves the removal of infected tissue from the root of a tooth, which in turn can save the tooth. Once the infected pulp is removed, a crown replacement is placed to provide long-term stability and a natural-looking appearance.

What is a Root Canal?

When the pulp - nerve tissue inside a tooth - has become damaged, infected, or inflamed, it needs to be cleaned out or removed from inside the root(s) of the tooth. This procedure involves clearing away all of the damaged/diseased nerve tissue inside the root as well as the removal of the infection. Then, the inside is filled with a material to fill this void. This treatment is called “root canal therapy,” or a “root canal.”

Why Root Canal Therapy?

There isn’t just one reason why a root canal may be needed. Some of the reasons for root canal therapy include:

  • Tooth Trauma
  • Infection
  • Abscess
  • Severe Tooth Decay
  • A Dead Nerve
  • Tooth Fracture

These various issues can lead to infection and inflammation that can continue to develop until the tooth is completely dead. It is important to seek treatment as soon as the pain begins to improve the chances that a root canal can save the tooth. Waiting too long may mean that the tooth cannot be saved, and an extraction would be necessary.

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(303) 557-6453

Signs a Root Canal is Needed

In some situations, a root canal can be avoided with proper care. However, if you don’t take proper care of your teeth, your teeth suffer trauma, or you have cracks in your teeth that allow bacteria to attack the nerve tissue of the tooth, then a root canal may be unavoidable. To better understand whether or not you have an infected or inflamed root, you’ll want to consider these different signs:

  • Extreme toothache.
  • Pain and discomfort while trying to chew.
  • Pain when pressure is applied to the tooth.
  • Pain while biting or chewing.
  • A change in the color of the tooth (which is often a greying of the tooth).
  • Sensitivity or pain when exposed to heat or cold.
  • The swelling of nearby gums.

These symptoms are often very easy to notice and will likely get worse as you allow the issue to further develop. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. Don’t wait for your next checkup.

The Root Canal Process

The actual process of getting a root canal starts with a visit to the dentist for a consultation to determine the correct tooth needing treatment. While your dentist may notice damage and decay during a checkup, it’s likely that you’ll be aware that something is wrong before then. Once your dentist has taken a look at the area and decided that the problem is an infected/inflamed root, they will begin the root canal therapy process.

Your dentist will provide you with anesthesia (numbing) to ensure that you feel limited-to-no pain during the procedure. While this will generally just be local anesthesia, they may also provide nitrous oxide (also known as "laughing gas") to ensure that you are relaxed and comfortable. From there, your dentist will create an opening in the crown of the tooth to better access the pulp chamber. Your dentist will then use fluid to disinfect and clean out the area, removing any bacteria. The next step is removing the pulp, then cleaning and shaping the root canals. After this, the root canals are filled and sealed.

Your dentist may decide to prescribe antibiotics after the procedure to help treat the infection. You’ll also be given aftercare instructions to ensure the proper healing of the tooth.

How to Avoid a Root Canal

A root canal may become necessary to save a healthy tooth. A situation in which a tooth nerve infection is unavoidable is extremely rare, though. The best way to avoid a root canal is to schedule routine visits to your dentist's office, in which they evaluate your teeth, along with any fillings and/or crowns present in your mouth.

Still, there are rare situations in which a tooth and nerve tissue are damaged, leading to infection. To avoid any infection and to save a damaged tooth, make sure to set an appointment with a dentist as soon as a tooth is damaged or injured. This may mean the difference between your dentist needing to repair the tooth or extract it entirely!

To avoid a root canal, make sure you are paying attention to any abnormalities with your teeth and gums. If there is swelling, pain, or pressure, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with the team at Baer Dental to have the tooth inspected.

It’s also extremely important to take care of your teeth and gums to avoid a root canal. This means brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing. You’ll also want to schedule an appointment every six months with your dentist for a cleaning and checkup. This allows your dentist to catch any issues early and prevent your tooth root from getting infected.

Our dental clinic is conveniently located in Lone Tree, CO, near Southlands, but also services Lone Tree, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Centennial, Stapleton, Green Valley Ranch, Castle Rock, Virginia Village, Parker, Littleton, and all neighboring communities.

Baer Dental Designs has Won

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Every Year Since 2011

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