“Oh no! Not a root canal!” should be an exclamation of the past. Any fear or negativity associated with the dreaded ‘root canal’ should be ignored. With many advances in the dental field of endodontics (dealing with nerves of the teeth) root canal procedures are efficient and relatively pain free. A root canal is necessary when an infection needs to be removed from a tooth. Removing the infected nerves will keep the infection from becoming a more serious issue.
When a root canal is necessary, your comfort is the priority of the Deerfield Family Dentistry staff. Dr. Pike will walk you through the entire process, monitoring and ensuring your comfort level throughout. First, the area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then an opening will be drilled into the tooth so the infection can be removed and the canal can be cleansed. The newly cleaned tooth will be filled. It’s recommended that a crown be fitted over the filling, to improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but over the counter painkillers are usually effective in relieving any pain. The root canal procedure will also immediately relieve any pain caused by the infection and you’ll be back to enjoying all the foods you love in no time– without any pain from heat, cold or pressure! Please don’t hesitate to call us if you are experiencing tooth pain–Deerfield Family Dentistry is here to help!