Root Canals

What are root canals?

Root canals are treatments that have a negative reputation, but in reality, they’re nothing to fear. In fact, a root canal offers significant pain relief and can stop you from eventually losing a tooth. 

The root canal procedure treats a part of your tooth called - wait for it - the root canal. When a tooth becomes infected on the inside, the pulp (soft tissue) within becomes inflamed and aggravated. The pulp resides inside the hollow root canal, and Dr. Stein must clear out the infected pulp from the tooth during the procedure. He also thoroughly disinfects the canal. 

To do this, Dr. Stein makes a small hole in the tooth’s chewing surface. He then uses fine instruments to extract the infected and inflamed pulp from within. The tooth can survive without the pulp as long as it has stopped growing and receives a temporary filling to seal it. 

When do I need a root canal?

There are a few reasons for needing a root canal. Sometimes, tooth infections develop because of untreated cavities. They can also develop when bacteria enter the tooth via a deep crack. You might need a root canal because of the resulting inflammation after a traumatic impact to a tooth, too. 

Pain is a signal to visit Stein Dental Care for a possible root canal. You might need a root canal if you experience:

• Sharp pain when biting down or chewing
• Significant chips or cracks in a tooth
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
• Pimple-like spots on the gums
• Gum swelling or tenderness
• Gum darkening

When you arrive for a visit, Dr. Stein examines the painful tooth and gums around it. He will also take an X-ray to confirm your diagnosis before recommending a root canal. 

What happens after a root canal?

After a root canal, Dr. Stein places a temporary filling to seal the tooth from saliva and bacteria. When you leave the office, the numbing medication wears off gradually, and you’ll feel some soreness. Fortunately, the soreness is usually insignificant compared to the pain of a pre-root canal tooth infection. The Stein Dental Care team always explains your root canal in detail before beginning the procedure.

A few days later, you’ll come back to Stein Dental Care. At this time, Dr. Stein takes X-rays to be sure that the infection is cleared and replaces the temporary filling with a permanent one. He might also recommend getting a crown to protect the tooth and can take impressions for the crown at that time. 

Don’t ignore tooth pain or wait for it to become unbearable. To find out if you need a root canal, call Stein Dental Care or book your visit online today.