Perhaps you’ve heard about root canal therapy from a friend who had to undergo the procedure, or maybe your dentist in La Crete has mentioned it to you as the best way to protect your oral health. Either way, it is important to know that root canals are an endodontic treatment that has been performed on millions of people to save their natural teeth and protect them from infection. At Twilight Dental, we are happy to offer our patients root canal treatment.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a form of endodontic treatment. Endodontics is a form of dentistry that specializes in the inside portion of the tooth. Each person’s tooth has three key layers: the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp chamber.
The pulp chamber starts from the crown of the tooth and goes all the way to the roots. It contains a network of veins and nerves that are vital for supplying nutrients to the teeth. When the pulp becomes infected, it can cause severe pain and lead to tooth loss. At this point, our dentist will perform a root canal near you to remove the infected pulp and save your tooth from needing to be extracted.
Signs That You Need a Root Canal
It is important to understand when you need to visit a dentist near you for root canal treatment. Here are some of the major signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Your teeth become sensitive to hot or cold substances
- Your gums around the affected tooth are swollen and red
- You have tender lymph nodes
- Your tooth is painful when biting down
- Your tooth suddenly darkens in color
What Happens During a Root Canal?
When you come into Twilight Dental for a root canal in La Crete, the process will begin with our dentist numbing the area so that you do not feel any pain during your treatment. Next, they will drill a small hole into your tooth to access and remove the infected tissues. Then, they will reshape and disinfect the interior of your tooth before filling and sealing it.
Typically, after a few weeks of healing, you will need to return to our dental clinic to have a permanent dental crown placed over the treated tooth. This crown will provide the tooth with extra strength and support and stop future infections from occurring. The dental crown can be customized to match your surrounding natural teeth so that it will blend in seamlessly with your smile.
Healing
It is important to maintain excellent oral hygiene after getting a root canal, which means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day, as well as visiting a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings at least twice a year.
It is normal to experience some tenderness and pain for the first few days after a root canal, and this can be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.
Visit Twilight Dental
If you believe you may require root canal treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Twilight Dental. We are happy to provide our patients with root canal therapy so that they can continue to maintain optimal oral health. Please contact us to book an appointment today.