Root Canal Therapy
Designed as a way to avoid tooth extraction, root canal therapy consists of our Jackson, MI, dentists removing infected, damaged, or injured dental pulp from within your tooth.
The procedure is straightforward and while it may sound intense, is no more uncomfortable than receiving a dental filling.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Your teeth and gums will make it very obvious when something is wrong. What isn’t always so obvious is the dental procedure that’s needed to remedy the situation. In these instances, our team of dentists recommend coming into our Jackson dental office for an oral exam.
Once you’re here, we can take a closer look and use X-rays to observe what’s going on below the gum line. We’ll then take appropriate action to save your tooth which may include .
A root canal procedure may be in order if you have:
- Intense pain when you chew or bite down
- Pimple-like swelling on your gums (dental abscess)
- A cracked or chipped tooth (could be how infection started)
- Tooth sensitivity that lingers even after heat or cold has been removed
- Gums that are swollen, darkened, or tender
- Deep decay
If you have any of the above symptoms, you may need to seek emergency dental care.
Step-by-Step Procedure: What to Expect
Our dentists will start by numbing the affected tooth with a local anesthetic. Once the area is properly numb, we’ll place a protective dental dam in your mouth so the tooth itself is isolated and kept dry from during the procedure.
A small drill will then be used to make an access hole in the top of the tooth. Through this entry point, the infected or damaged pulp will be cleaned out and the space will be prepped for filling.
Gutta-percha, the rubber-like material used to fill the root canals, is placed inside with a dental cement. We’ll then close off the opening with a same-day dental crown if necessary.
Find Relief Today
Our , urge you to not delay treatment if you are showing the warning signs of an infected tooth. Allowing an infection to spread untreated can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Please call The Dental Experience at (517) 787-5367 today to request an appointment.