Root Canals in Bothell
For serious tooth decay or damage, you need more help than a simple filling can provide. Root canal, or endodontic, treatment removes all infected and diseased tissue and restores the strength of your tooth with a sturdy crown. While many people dread root canal therapy, it’s actually the pain that leads up to the treatment that is the real issue. Root canal therapy is often the only way to save the tooth from extraction and free yourself from the discomfort of an aching tooth. The root canal in Bothell is a painless, effective procedure performed at Annigan Dental.
Why Root Canals Are Necessary
A root canal is necessary when tooth decay spreads below the enamel, affecting the tissue within the tooth. Infected pulp causes real pain, and it’s not easy to ignore the need for a root canal. Signs you may need endodontic treatment include…
- Sensitivity or pain to hot, cold, and sweet foods and beverages
- A dark or black tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gum below the tooth
- Gum recession or sensitivity
- A bad taste in the mouth or foul-smelling breath
If you need a root canal, do not delay treatment. Endodontic therapy should be provided as soon as possible to prevent total tooth loss. Sometimes, the infected root may die as a result of the disease -- but the infection still remains. So even if your side effects subside, that is not an indication that you no longer need to seek treatment.
What Happens During a Root Canal
Root canal therapy is performed under local anesthesia to ensure you do not feel any pain at the treatment site. Annigan Dental also provides sedation dentistry as desired for calming jittery nerves. Once you are completely comfortable, the procedure can begin.
First, your dentist enters the tooth through a small access hole. This opening is created in the back of front teeth or in the chewing surface of the back teeth. Then, using special tools, the infection is drained and all diseased tissue is removed. Once the inside of the tooth is completely clean, its interior is measured and refilled. In rare cases, the root canal treatment is completed in just one visit to the dentist. But when additional time is needed for the infection to heal, your dentist applies a temporary filling and crown with instructions to eat carefully until your follow-up appointment. The permanent restorations will be placed during this second visit.
Root Canal Procedure: Postop Care
Endodontic treatment is oral surgery, and that means you will experience certain side effects following each stage of the procedure. Bleeding, swelling, and discomfort are all common. Follow your dentist’s instructions and take pain medication as directed to speed through your recovery. Avoid strenuous activity for the first few days following the root canal, and maintain a soft foods diet until discomfort allows you to resume normal eating.
Contact Us Today
If you would like to learn more about endodontic treatment or to schedule a root canal, please don’t hesitate to contact Annigan Dental. Request an appointment with your dentist in Bothell today!
