Root Canal Therapy

What is a root canal?

The root canal itself, not so much root canal therapy, is the space inside the tooth where the nerves and the blood supply to the tooth reside. You can call it whatever you want. Let me rephrase it: the root canal is the space where the life structures of the tooth, such as nerves and blood vessels, are located. Most people think of the root canal as the procedure itself, but it's actually the space within the tooth.

What is root canal therapy?

Oftentimes, we refer to root canal as the therapy, so it's root canal therapy. Due to bacteria and cavities, the bacteria get inside that space we call a root canal, making the tooth sick. What we do is clean all the sick tissue from inside the tooth, from the root canal, and seal it off to save the tooth. Root canal therapy is the procedure we do to save the tooth.

When does a patient need a root canal?

There are no specific signs and symptoms when a patient needs a root canal. The most obvious one is pain that doesn't go away, especially when it gets worse at night. During the day we're busy, but when we sit or lie down at night, that's when it really hurts. Sometimes the tooth doesn't show symptoms, so relying solely on symptoms is wrong. This is why regular checkups are important to ensure there's no infection brewing in your jawbone without you knowing.

Should I see a dentist or an endodontist for a root canal treatment?

There are multiple specialties and doctors who perform root canal therapy. Sometimes it could be your dentist who sees you for your cleanings and fillings, but sometimes they may refer you to a root canal specialist. The first step is to see your dentist regularly to possibly avoid a root canal.

Can I wait to get a root canal?

Patients often ask me if they should get this procedure done right away or if they can wait. We don't want to wait. If there's an infection where bacteria are multiplying and causing pockets in your jawbone, we shouldn't let it get worse.

How painful is a root canal?

Root canals have a bad reputation. People share horror stories, but root canals are not painful. Avoidance and neglect are painful. When we let things go, that's when pain starts, not from the procedure itself. During root canal therapy, the most important thing is for my patients to be comfortable. We use local anesthesia, and sometimes nitrous oxide or sedation, to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible.

What happens during root canal therapy?

The main goal is to remove all infected tissue from inside the tooth and clean it up. We use irrigation to wash out the infection and place a special sealer inside to prevent reinfection. Root canal therapy is often done in one visit, but sometimes may require multiple visits.

Why is a crown recommended after a root canal?

After root canal therapy, the tooth loses its blood supply and becomes non-vital or not alive, making it brittle. A crown is placed to protect it from breaking, similar to how a dead tree branch breaks easily. A crown provides the tooth with necessary protection.

Are there alternatives to root canal therapy?

It depends on if the nerve or tooth is infected. Some people choose to remove the tooth, but nothing is better than your natural tooth. If a root canal can save the tooth, that would be my option. If not, alternatives like a dental implant can be considered.

What causes a gum boil after a root canal and how is it treated?

Sometimes not all root canal procedures are successful, and a gum boil or bubble can form. If this happens, see your dentist to determine the extent of the infection. Despite best efforts, a tooth can get reinfected due to various reasons, like not getting a crown in time or having multiple canals.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM ROOT CANAL THERAPY? THE PROCEDURE AND BENEFITS

Thanks to many myths and misconceptions, a root canal is one of the most dreaded dental procedures. But as you will discover, dentistry has come a long way from the days the mention of the word root canal would make you run for the hills. With modern dentistry, fear for root canals should be a thing of the past.

At Simply Smiles, we know how valuable your natural tooth is. As such, we recommend a root canal when other restorative treatments fall short. But you don’t have to worry about our root canal therapy as Drs. Kira Gekht and Jade Rivera use gentle yet effective techniques to ensure that the root canal treatment is painless but successful.

The root canal procedure

To understand a root canal, it will help if you know a thing or two about the anatomy of your tooth. The visible part of your tooth is the enamel, and beneath it is the dentin. Under the dentin, there is a soft tissue part called the pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues. The pulp extends to the crown and the tooth roots, connecting to the surrounding tissues.

Unfortunately, when your pulp is infected or inflamed, it leads to pain or causes an abscess. But instead of removing your entire tooth, your dentist can salvage your tooth by just removing the pulp. But what should you expect from the procedure?

It begins by administering anesthesia to make the procedure comfortable. Then, your dentist makes a small incision on the tooth crown to access the inside of your tooth internals. Then we use special equipment to clean your pulp chamber and the root canals. After a thorough cleaning, the dentist fills the empty chamber with gutta-percha to keep off any bacteria. Finally, we install a crown to protect and restore the full function of your tooth.

Benefits of a root canal

Many people worry about pain during the root canal, but the opposite is true — a root canal saves you from the pain instead of causing pain. Other benefits include:

• It stops the infection from spreading to the nearby teeth
• It saves your tooth
• Preservation of the tooth means no bone deterioration

Remember, the more you delay treatment for an infected tooth, the harder it becomes to fix. So, act now! Ready for root canal therapy in Sarasota, FL? Why don’t you dial (941) 877-5262 to book an appointment with Simply Smiles? We also serve residents in and around Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, and Bradenton, FL.

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