
Root canal, or endodontic (“endo” – inside; “dont” – tooth) treatment, is often wrongly perceived as a highly unpleasant experience and one that causes tremendous pain. However, the truth is that the procedure actually relieves the pain being caused by an infected and inflamed tooth pulp (inside of the tooth). Advances in dentistry have made treatment virtually pain free and it can be completed relatively quickly, usually in a single visit. Left untreated, infection can spread into the bone immediately around the tooth's root, so prompt attention is the best course of action.
If the term “root canal” still sends shivers down your spine, don't despair. Here is some information that should help put your mind at ease.
- Root canal treatment is necessary when deep decay or trauma has caused the inside (pulp) of the tooth to become inflamed or infected. Symptoms of infection can include sharp pain when biting down, lingering pain after consuming very hot or cold foods, a dull ache and feeling of pressure near the infected tooth, and tender gum tissue surrounding the infected tooth.
- After a local anesthetic is administered to numb the infected tooth and its surrounding area, we will make a small opening on the chewing surface of the tooth. This will allow us to remove dead and dying tissue from the pulp and to then clean and disinfect the root canals. Using small instruments, we will shape the canals and seal them with biocompatible filling materials.
- You may feel slight tenderness at the treated site for a few days, but this is quite manageable and can be relieved with over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. You should refrain from chewing on the treated tooth until your follow-up appointment. A crown or other restoration may be needed to protect the tooth and restore it to full function.
If you think you might be a candidate for a root canal treatment, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If you would like to learn more about the process of root canal treatment, please read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Common Concerns About Root Canal Treatment.”
Comments:
Blog Content
Archive:
- 2019
- January (6)
- Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
- 2018
- December (6)
- Oral Health Concerns for Preteens
- People Born with Missing Teeth can Still Gain a Beautiful Smile
- Crown Lengthening Helps us Treat Hard to Reach Cavities
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- November (6)
- Your Teen Could get a Straighter Smile with Clear Aligners Rather than Braces
- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- Take Steps to Save an Incoming Tooth's Place to Avoid a Poor Bite
- Prompt Treatment for Gum Disease Could Ultimately Save Your Teeth
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- October (6)
- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
- September (6)
- Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
- A Pediatric Dentist Could be a Great Choice for Your Child's Dental Care
- We can Build up Lost Bone Before Your Implant
- New Advances Could Revolutionize Decay Treatment
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- August (6)
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- Dental Care of Prime Importance for Children with Special Health Needs
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Back to School Do's and Don'ts
- July (7)
- Those Red Patches on Your Tongue are Nothing to be Alarmed About
- Clean Your Implants Just Like you Clean Your Natural Teeth
- Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
- Teenagers with Missing Teeth Usually Need a Temporary Restoration
- Ensure the Best Outcome with the Right Care for a Teen's Missing Tooth
- Get Your Vitamins the Natural Way for Optimum Dental Health
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
- June (6)
- A Root Canal Treatment may be Your Best Chance to Save a Tooth
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- 3 Advantages for Improving Your Smile with Composite Resins
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Watch Out for Signs of Gum Recession
- Sedation Can Help Create a More Positive Dental Experience for a Child
- 2017
- December (5)
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Gum Disease can Prevent Your Gums from Protecting Your Teeth
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- Composite Resin Could Transform Your Tooth's Appearance in Just one Visit
- Certain People may Benefit from Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery
- September (5)
- 'Test Drive' Your Future Look after Dental Work with a Trial Smile
- Stay Vigilant with Oral Hygiene to Avoid Another Bout of Gum Disease
- Reduce Future Bite Problems with These Innovative Techniques
- Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
- A Teen with a Missing Tooth May Need to Wait on a Dental Implant
- May (5)
- Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- Keep an Eye on Your Young Children's Fluoride Intake
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- April (5)
- Plan Ahead to Make Your Smile the Best it can be for Your Big Day!
- Enhance Your Smile for that Special, Once-in-a-Lifetime Day
- Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
- Children with Chronic Health Conditions may Need Extra Dental Care
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- 2016
- November (5)
- Keep Your Baby's Fluoride Intake within Moderate Limits
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
- Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- June (5)
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- That Small Mouth Sore is Likely Nothing - but Still Have it Checked
- Consider a Removable Partial Denture as a Temporary Solution After Tooth Loss
- Replacing a Tooth or Saving it - Which Should you do?
- May (5)
- 5 Ways to Make Your Smile More Confident and Inviting
- Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
- Get a Handle on Stress-Related Tooth Grinding to Stop Tooth Damage
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Put an End to Uncomfortable and Embarrassing Cracked Mouth Corners
- March (5)
- Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
- Your Gum Tissue 'Biotype' Could Determine How Gum Disease Affects You
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
- Though not Always Seen, it's Still Important to Replace a Missing Back Tooth
- 2015
- December (5)
- Eating Disorders May Contribute to Damaged Teeth and Gums
- Treating a Baby Tooth with Inner Decay can be Complicated - but Still Necessary
- A Second Root Canal Treatment May Help Save an Endangered Tooth
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Is Dental Treatment Safe During Pregnancy?
- July (5)
- Common Types of Tooth Injuries and How to Treat Them
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Stains from Within a Tooth Require Professional Whitening
- There are Various Ways to Treat Sensitivity - Depending on its Cause
- Effective Oral Hygiene is Key to Disease Prevention While Wearing Braces
- April (5)
- Choosing the Right Mouth Rinse that Matches your Oral Health Needs
- 'Simple' Tooth Extractions are a Common Dental Procedure
- Dental Amalgam Fillings Remain a Safe and Reliable Tooth Restoration Option
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- Getting Smart About Wisdom Teeth
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
Tags
- tooth decay (16)
- oral health (79)
- pediatric dentistry (35)
- cosmetic dentistry (46)
- smile makeover (26)
- root canal (13)
- wedding day smiles (2)
- oral hygiene (37)
- dental implants (33)
- tmd (5)
- tmj (5)
- gum disease (31)
- periodontal disease (10)
- heart disease (2)
- dental hygienist (1)
- dental hygiene (4)
- snoring and sleep apnea (4)
- common symptoms (10)
- crown (5)
- celebrity smiles (3)
- dental injuries (7)
- periodontal (gum) disease (7)
- diabetes (3)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- bonding (2)
- chipped tooth (1)
- floss (1)
- snoring (4)
- sleep apnea (4)
- tooth wear (2)
- thumb sucking (4)
- smile (1)
- tongue scraper (1)
- bad breath (3)
- brushing teeth (1)
- veneers (10)
- mouthguards (2)
- sports dentistry (3)
- tooth decay quiz (1)
- dental emergencies (3)
- dentures (6)
- loose dentures (1)
- overdenture (1)
- fluoride (4)
- fun dental facts (1)
- clear orthodontic aligners (2)
- braces (6)
- teeth whitening (12)
- oral cancer (12)
- wedding day smile (2)
- tooth colored fillings (2)
- fillings (3)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (1)
- oral sedation (2)
- sedation dentistry (5)
- dental anxiety (1)
- denture (1)
- prepless veneers (1)
- CAT scans (1)
- bleeding gums (1)
- dental crowns (1)
- dental fillings (1)
- loose teeth (3)
- porcelain veneers (9)
- mouthguard (1)
- invisalign (1)
- orthodontics (7)
- periodontal plastic surgery (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (4)
- sensitive teeth (3)
- pregnancy (7)
- blood pressure (1)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- endodontics (1)
- furcation (1)
- nutrition (3)
- bridgework (1)
- cracked tooth syndrome (1)
- gum surgery (1)
- toothache (3)
- tooth pain (2)
- water (1)
- geographic tongue (2)
- herbal remedy (1)
- dental cleanings (1)
- smoking (2)
- orthodontic treatment (7)
- adult orthodontics (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- oral surgery (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- bridge (1)
- extractions (1)
- mouth rinse (1)
- toothpaste (2)
- space maintainer (2)
- crowns (6)
- smile design (3)
- gum recession (6)
- tooth erosion (2)
- age one dental visit (1)
- medications (1)
- eating disorders (1)
- laser dentistry (3)
- ulcers (1)
- canker sores (1)
- tooth replacement (2)
- missing teeth (4)
- teeth grinding (4)
- cold sore (1)
- implant overdentures (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- cracked mouth (1)
- stress (1)
- x-rays (2)
- root canal treatment (7)
- partial denture (1)
- mouth sores (2)
- clear aligners (4)
- antibiotics (2)
- jaw pain (1)
- burning mouth syndrome (2)
- sugar (1)
- tooth extraction (3)
- saliva (1)
- bruxism (1)
- bacteria (1)
- periodontal surgery (2)
- interceptive orthodontics (1)
- dental care (3)
- teething (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- sinus surgery (1)
- cancer treatment (1)
- bone loss (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- crown lengthening (2)
- dental records (1)
- topical fluoride (1)