Root Canal | Dental Spa In 77084

Patients are often scared when they’re told they need a root canal treatment. There’s a pervasive (and false) myth that root canal is a surgical procedure when, in actuality, it’s just a little more intensive than a dental filling. Most importantly, root canal therapy is a medically necessary procedure because it might be your last chance to save your tooth from complete decay. Dentaland provides root canal as a last resort for patients with severe dental cavities and decay in Houston, Texas.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a type of endodontic treatment that deals with the inside of the tooth. The tooth consists of several layers — the outer white enamel, the harder layer underneath called dentin, and the final layer of soft tissues called the pulp chamber. The innermost pulp chamber contains blood vessels, nerves, and other essential components. The pulp tissues enter the root canal, which connects the pulp chamber to the tissues around the root.

Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure that treats dental infections in the root canal, i.e., the innermost part of the tooth. The procedure generally involves removing all the infected pulp tissues and nerves from the pulp chamber and root canal, disinfecting the root canal, and then sealing it closed. If you have tooth decay that’s reached the root canal, the root canal treatment is your last chance to save the tooth.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Are you experiencing severe tooth pain? You may need a root canal. Book now.

Why Do You Need Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is necessary with the pulp tissues, nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues inside the tooth becoming infected or inflamed. In most cases, pulp tissues become infected when cavities are left untreated for extended periods. Cavities occur because of bacterial activities, and they generally start at the outermost enamel layer. If you seek treatment at that stage, you’ll only need a dental filling. If left untreated, cavities continue spreading, eventually leading to an infection of the pulp chamber, necessitating root canal therapy.

You may also need root canal therapy for other reasons, such as repeated dental procedures on the tooth, severely cracked teeth, or a faulty crown. If you sustain dental trauma because of falls, accidents, or sports injuries, your pulp tissues may get damaged, even if the outer layer seems alright. In this case, the pulp inflammation may lead to the formation of a dental abscess, necessitating an emergency root canal treatment. If you don’t undergo root canal therapy, you may eventually need to have your tooth extracted.

Why Do You Need Root Canal Treatment

Are your gums swollen? You may have an infected tooth. Schedule your appointment now.

Root Canal Symptoms:

Persistent toothaches and pain
Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
Discoloration of your teeth
Gum swelling
Pain and discomfort when you touch the tooth
Chipped or cracked tooth
Pimples on the gums
Loose tooth
Signs of a dental abscess

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy:

Safe and painless procedure
Performed under local anesthesia
In-office, non-surgical procedure
No harsh side effects or complications
Natural-looking results
Save the tooth from complete decay
Prevent dental infection from spreading
Maintain optimal oral health
Avoid needing teeth replacements later

Don’t let your infected tooth get worse. Speak to our dentist about a root canal treatment. Book now.

The Root Canal Process

The root canal process is performed in one or two visits, depending on your specific treatment plan. The dentist takes x-rays of your teeth to curate the ideal treatment plan for you. The dentist administers local anesthesia to ensure optimal comfort. A protective dental dam is placed to isolate the affected tooth and prevent saliva from interfering with the procedure. An access hole is drilled into the affected tooth, and various small instruments are used to remove all the pulp tissues and nerves from the teeth.

Once the root canal is hollowed out, the dentist washes it clean using sodium hypochlorite and water. The root canal is then filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, which seals the root canal completely. You may receive a temporary filling, and the dentist may apply an antibiotic to kill any remaining bacteria. The dentist also takes impressions of your teeth to prepare a dental crown — the dental crown protects the weakened tooth from damage. You may receive the dental crown in the next session.

The Root Canal Process

Sharp pain when chewing or biting may indicate that you need a root canal. Book now.

Root Canal — FAQs

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?

An endodontic treatment saves the tooth because it prevents the infection from spreading into the roots of your teeth. If the infection reaches the root, the tooth would have to be removed completely.

How many visits does a root canal take?

Your root canal therapy can be performed in one or two visits, depending on your specific condition. Some dentists apply antibiotics and wait for a week before providing the filling and dental crown.

Is it better to have a root canal or extraction?

Root canal therapy is preferable to a dental extraction because it saves your natural tooth, which is always better than considering tooth replacement options. However, if your tooth is severely decayed, you may have no choice but to under a dental extraction.

Can you still get pain in a tooth that’s had a root canal?

Yes, you can still get toothaches in a tooth after a root canal for numerous reasons:

The root canal hasn’t healed properly
The root canal is infected again because of a new decay
The root canal is still infected, i.e., all the infected tissues weren’t removed
The root canal is inflamed or infected because of a new injury

Want to learn more about Root Canal? Ask us!

Root Canal Therapy in Houston, TX

Dentaland is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in a wide range of general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry services. We always perform thorough diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of your symptoms before curating a personalized treatment plan. Our dentist only recommends root canal therapy if there are no other means of saving your affected tooth. Please schedule an appointment to determine if you’re a candidate for root canal therapy in Houston, TX.