Minimal-Discomfort Root Canal Therapy Can Save Severely Damaged Teeth
At Ray Dental in Little Rock, AR, Dr. Steven Ray performs advanced root canal therapy. This treatment is typically the only way to save an infected tooth and avoid extraction and the associated restorative care. Accordingly, this procedure can have lasting benefits for your oral health and also save you a large amount of time and money. During every step of the process, Dr. Ray will work meticulously to ensure that all his patients are treated efficiently with negligible discomfort.
When Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?
Your root canals are the hollow chambers that house your dental roots and the nerves and blood vessels that run parallel to them. Typically, we recommend root canal treatment—or endodontic therapy—to address a dental infection. Infection develops when decay spreads to the soft pulp in the middle of your tooth. Your nerves run from this area through your root canals so your discomfort can be quite pronounced. If you are suffering from a toothache, gum abscesses, or chronic bad breath, root canal therapy may be advisable.
There are several other situations in which Dr. Ray might recommend endodontic treatment, such as a cracked tooth that extends past the gum line or physical trauma that has compromised your oral health. To determine whether a root canal is appropriate, Dr. Ray will review digital x-rays to ascertain the extent of the damage.
What to Expect during Root Canal Therapy
Before your root canal, the Dr. Ray will numb and isolate your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. With these precautions, you will feel little more than a slight pressure when he is working. Once the medications take effect, Dr. Ray will create a small opening in your tooth. Through this opening, he can remove the bacteria and infected pulp. Once all infection and decay have been removed, he can smooth the inside of your tooth and your root canals, and fill the tooth with a soft, rubber-like material called gutta percha. This material will seal your tooth and prevent the re-entry of bacteria. Next, Dr. Ray will reshape the outer portion of your tooth to accommodate a dental crown. After impressions are taken of your teeth and gums, Dr. Ray will send them to a lab, where technicians will craft your restoration. Using all porcelain materials, they can ensure a lifelike appearance that matches the natural color of your smile. While your crown is being fabricated—a process that takes approximately two weeks—we can provide a temporary cap.
Root canal therapy is typically the only way to avoid extraction and the associated restorative care. Accordingly, this procedure can have lasting benefits for your oral health and also save you a large amount of time and money.
The Far-Reaching Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a tremendously important treatment. It is the only way to save an infected tooth and prevent an extraction. Removal might seem to be a more simple solution; however, it would ultimately involve additional treatment, since you would then require restorative care to replace your tooth to ensure your oral health does not deteriorate. Finally, root canal therapy can quickly ease pain caused by an infected tooth and restore your oral function.
Alleviate Painful Symptoms
If you are experiencing the symptoms of an infection, we urge you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible while there is still time to save your tooth. Contact us online to schedule your consultation or call Ray Dental at (501) 312-1127 to speak to a member of our staff.