A root canal can serve the very important purpose of saving a natural tooth that has become severely damaged or decayed. Cohoes dentist Dr. Frederick Marra performs root canals at Capital Region Complete Dental Care and Implants whenever possible to avoid tooth extraction and maintain your natural smile.
Although many patients cringe at the recommendation of a root canal, modern techniques have made this procedure far less invasive and painful. It is typically no more uncomfortable than a dental filling and can be performed using a local anesthetic. For those with dental anxiety, Dr. Marra offers sedation options to ensure you are completely relaxed during treatment. In most cases, the tooth pain and discomfort you are experiencing is immediately relieved with the root canal procedure.
Common signs that you my need a root canal can include:
- Tooth pain (may be sudden or severe)
- Increasing tooth sensitivity to temperature that may linger after exposure to heat or cold
- Darkening of tooth color
- A “pimple” like bump along the gum line near the affected tooth
- Sensitive gum tissue around the affected tooth
Root Canal: What To Expect
The root canal is the interior of a tooth where the pulp and nerves are located. Root canal treatment is needed when a tooth is significantly damaged or has decay that extends into the pulp chamber. Tooth pain is usually the first sign patients experience, though a dentist can spot infection during routine examinations.
Dr. Marra will explain the process prior to your treatment and ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area to be treated. The tooth will be opened with a tiny hole in the back and the infected tissue will be removed. Finally, we will fill the pulp chamber with a biocompatible material to avoid further infection and reseal the tooth.
In some cases, Dr. Marra will recommend that the affected tooth be strengthened with a dental crown for a lasting result.