Root Canal Therapy – Greater Inwood
An Effective Solution for Infected Teeth
A root canal is a highly effective service that dentists utilize to restore a deeply infected tooth. For patients with a tooth that is severely decayed, a root canal may be your last chance to avoid having it extracted. Dr. Mark Lawton is adept at performing root canals and returning damaged teeth to a strong and stable state. Whether you have severe decay or a painfully abscessed tooth, a root canal may be necessary, but fear not – you’re in good hands! To learn more about this service, continue reading or make an appointment with our team today.
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
Do you have a toothache? Don’t panic yet – not every case needs to be treated with root canal therapy. That option is only reserved for teeth that are damaged, decayed, or infected beyond repair. If your tooth can’t be treated with a dental filling or crown, then you might need root canal therapy. Keep an eye out for these signs as they may indicate you need this tooth-saving treatment:
- Severe toothache or pain that’s lasted more than a day
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Pain in one or two teeth when you bite down
- Swollen, red, or tender gum tissue
- A pimple-like bump on the gums near the painful tooth
Make sure to call our office if you notice any of these symptoms. We’ll see you as soon as possible and provide you with the prompt relief you deserve.
The Root Canal Process
If Dr. Lawton decides you need a root canal, the procedure will go something like this:
- Our team will start by taking an X-ray of the tooth. Then, we will anesthetize the area by surrounding the tooth with lidocaine and most likely set you up with some nitrous oxide to soothe any anxiety.
- Then, Dr. Lawton will go into the tooth and gently remove any infected tissue. He will then clean and reshape the interior of the root canal.
- After he has dried out the inside of the tooth, he will fill the root canal to fortify the tooth and seal any empty spaces.
- In a subsequent appointment, Dr. Lawton will “cap” your tooth with a dental crown to maximize durability.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Even though it has a bad reputation, root canal therapy in Greater Inwood is a safe and trusted procedure that can prevent serious oral health issues down the line. There are many incredible benefits to root canal therapy, including:
- Tooth preservation. Choosing to repair a tooth instead of extraction can save you plenty of time, money, and issues.
- Improved oral health. Because root canal therapy effectively cleans out all of the harmful bacteria and particles contributing to your pain, you can enjoy a healthy smile right away.
- Virtually painless procedure. Believe it or not, root canal therapy is virtually pain-free. Many patients even claim that it’s as comfortable as getting a filling!