Safe, Gentle Root Canal Therapy
When a tooth becomes infected, root canal therapy can be performed to save your natural tooth and prevent reinfection. It’s a routine procedure that’s completed here at our Alexandria dental office painlessly with reliable anesthetics.
At Alexandria Smile Center, Dr. Moylan will take every precaution to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Learn when a root canal becomes necessary and what to expect from the procedure.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
If one or more of your teeth become infected, you’ll likely experience some discomfort. Root canal therapy may be necessary if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- Toothache pain that extends to the face, neck, or ears
- Pain while biting and chewing
- Pain in a chipped or cracked tooth
- Swelling of the face or gums
- Darkening of the tooth or surrounding gum tissue
- Painful sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Don’t try to ignore or wait out these symptoms. An infected tooth will not resolve on its own and may lead to other complications if left untreated. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Moylan as soon as possible to get the care you need.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is necessary when a bacterial infection reaches the core of a tooth. To understand this treatment, it’s helpful to know more about the makeup of each of your teeth.
Your teeth are each made up of three layers:
- The enamel is the hard, white layer that’s visible on the outside of a tooth.
- The dentin is a hard layer of tissue beneath the enamel.
- The pulp is a soft layer of tissue containing the nerves and blood vessels of a tooth, extending down through the root canal.
For the core of a tooth to become infected, bacteria have to bypass the enamel and dentin to take hold in the pulp. This can happen through a crack or deep cavity in a tooth. With root canal therapy, Dr. Moylan can access and remove the infected pulp to save your tooth rather than requiring an extraction.
The Root Canal Procedure
During your appointment, Dr. Moylan will determine whether root canal therapy is required to treat your symptoms. Your treatment will consist of several steps and is completed in the following stages:
- First, we’ll use an anesthetic to completely numb the affected area for the duration of the procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety, we can provide dental sedation to help you feel relaxed and comfortable.
- With specialized tools, Dr. Moylan will create a small entryway in the crown of your infected tooth. He’ll gently remove the infected pulp of your tooth.
- Then Dr. Moylan will seal the root canal with a dental composite to preserve the structure of your tooth.
- To complete the procedure, he’ll cap your tooth with a natural-looking dental crown to prevent reinfection.
Root canal therapy is an extremely effective method for treating an infected tooth. A successful root canal will resolve your painful symptoms and avoid the need for an extraction. After treatment, you’ll be able to eat and smile comfortably with your tooth protected from harm.
Don’t Wait to Pursue Treatment
Undergoing root canal therapy can save your tooth and put an end to any discomfort and painful symptoms you may experience. Dr. Moylan will provide attentive, compassionate care and keep you comfortable through every step of the procedure. If you’ve noticed symptoms of an infected tooth, contact us today at (318) 545-7606 to have your condition evaluated and receive appropriate care.
