Root Canal Treatment
When you visit us with soreness or discomfort, our dental team will examine your smile. After looking at your teeth, they’ll determine your needs. Some cavities are small enough to fill with tooth-colored fillings. Others require more work, needing same-day CEREC dental crowns. Still, other patients need a root canal procedure to save their natural tooth at its roots. Whatever procedure you need, our team at Dr. Richard Crosby General & Cosmetic Dentistry can help your smile get healthy once again.
On the day of your root canal, we will do a scan or x-ray to determine the correct measures to take. Next, we will put you under general anesthesia so you don’t feel any pain or discomfort. While you’re asleep, we will clean your tooth to the root, removing all infected pulp. Then, we will fill your tooth with a rubbery material to make it feel natural. Generally, root canals take one or two visits, depending on severity. In the end, we will seal your tooth and restructure it to function normally.
The Root Canal Procedure
Within the root of your teeth, you have a substance called the pulp. The pulp is a tissue that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. During growth, our teeth need pulp to develop, however, an adult tooth can survive without the pulp.
When bacteria break through your enamel, it then infects and inflames the internal pulp, which causes a lot of pain and discomfort. Therefore, when we perform a root canal, we drill into the root of your tooth to remove all infected pulp and bacteria, saving the natural tooth.
After Your Root Canal
When you get a root canal, you can expect some soreness and tenderness afterward. However, the pain should ease in just a few days, if not hours. Though we recommend relaxing after your procedure, many of our patients return to work or school the very same day.
Benefits of a Root Canal
A root canal is an effective way to save your natural tooth after a severe infection. Depending on your level of decay, a root canal might be the only option to save your tooth. Saving your natural tooth offers benefits over a tooth extraction, including the following.
- You will experience more natural chewing and biting
- Experience a cost-effective process compared to tooth replacements
- The process is almost painless
- You will love the esthetically appealing outcome
For these reasons, a root canal could be the procedure you need. Visit our office to find out more about root canals and other restorative dentistry procedures.
A Candidate for a Root Canal
If you experience intense pain in one or multiple teeth, you might need a root canal. You should see your dentist immediately if you experience any toothaches or oral pain. When you wait for the pain to become unbearable, you might face extraction instead of keeping your natural teeth.
Your Root Canal Specialist in Anchorage
If you experience pain or discomfort in your teeth, talk to your dentist. Dr. Crosby in Anchorage is happy to see you for a consultation to determine your smile needs.
Schedule a consultation with our dental team by calling (907) 277-1098.
