Root Canal Therapy
Root canals have long been one of the most feared procedures in dentistry.
Today, dentistry has evolved to the point where root canal therapy is no longer the complicated procedure it once was. It’s time to look past the bad reputation of the root canal and see it for the valuable, pain-relieving solution it is.
Root Canal Therapy
The root canal is the area of the tooth that houses the pulp and the nerve. Sometimes this part of the tooth can become infected.
When this happens, not only is the tooth extremely painful and sensitive, the infection can also spread to other areas of the mouth and other teeth. The most effective way to treat the infection is root canal therapy.
Once the anesthetic takes hold, and you are completely numb, we will create a small hole in your tooth. Working through the hole, we drain the infected material along with the pulp and any other debris. We thoroughly clean the interior of the tooth, and we may place an antibiotic medication inside the tooth to prevent further infection.
Your tooth will then be filled and a cap or crown will be placed. This is necessary because the structure of the tooth will be weakened, and a dental restoration will protect the tooth from breakage and also allow you to chew comfortably.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
If you have been experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call our office immediately. You may have an infection and could require treatment.
- Severe pain in one or more teeth
- Pain that is aggravated by chewing or other pressure
- Pain and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Darkening of one or more teeth
- A raised bump on the gums
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek
Call our office to make an appointment. Root canal therapy may be necessary to get rid of your pain and reduce your stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the process can often remove a great deal of the fear surrounding dental procedures. During a root canal, the goals of treatment are to stop the infection, prevent further damage, and relieve your pain.
We begin by making sure that you are numb and comfortable. The next step is to open your tooth. We then use special instruments to carefully and thoroughly clean out the infection from your tooth and remove the infected or damaged nerve. If necessary, we may place an antibiotic treatment to prevent re-infection.
The cavity in your tooth will be filled and sealed, and a crown may be placed. You may experience some soreness following the procedure as part of your body’s natural reaction to any type of perceived injury, but this will quickly fade and you will feel much better.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Nic Ferguson
Dentist
Dr. Ferguson is a kind and caring dentist who enjoys providing excellent, individualized dental care. Originally from Hood River, Oregon, Dr. Nic Ferguson earned his
Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree from Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry in 2017. Fascinated by science and math, Dr. Ferguson always knew he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. During his undergraduate studies, he shadowed doctors in various fields, but quickly realized that a career in dentistry was a perfect fit. His years of experience as a dentist have solidified his ...