How Does Root Canal Therapy Work in Seattle?

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

It is a dental procedure that treats infected or damaged teeth. Dental experts sometimes refer to root canal therapy as endodontic therapy. The treatment targets severely damaged teeth, where the bacterial infection has breached the different external layers, reaching the pulp.

The pulp chamber features the soft tissues of a natural tooth, featuring tissues like blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerve endings. Endodontic treatment is the most effective way to save such a tooth and prevent tooth extraction.

How Does the Procedure Work?

During a root canal procedure, the dentist in Seattle, WA, removes the infected pulp and cleans and shapes the inside of the root canals. This initial process will rid the tooth’s inner canal of bacteria before the next step.

The dentist then fills the cleaned canal with a material called gutta-percha. It helps maintain the compactness of the tooth, protecting the structural integrity. Afterward, the dentist will seal the tooth with a dental filling to prevent further infection and decay.

Do You Need a Dental Crown Afterwards?

A dental crown is commonly seen as a cap that covers the entire tooth structure, providing protection and support. After root canal therapy, dentists often recommend placing a dental crown to restore the tooth’s strength and prevent further damage or decay. Usually, it is necessary if the treated tooth is weak and highly susceptible to fractures.

Besides, a dental crown also improves teeth’ appearance. A typical dental crown features porcelain, a material that blends in with the rest of your teeth.

Even then, not all root canal procedures require a dental crown afterward. In some cases, a dental filling may be sufficient to restore the affected tooth, especially when not so much filling material is necessary after root canal therapy. However, it depends on the tooth’s location, the amount of initial structural damage, and other factors. Your dentist will assess your case after the root canal and then recommend the best course of treatment.

Is it Painful?

While root canal therapy is often associated with pain and discomfort, modern techniques in dentistry have made the procedure relatively painless for most patients.

Endodontic therapy is now performed under local anesthesia and sometimes sedation dentistry depending on the severity of the damage. Local anesthesia numbs your mouth to assure a pain-free process, while sedation dentistry keeps you calm throughout your procedure.

How Do You Know You Need Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal treatment near you can address many dental problems, but not all. Some of the indicators that you need the treatment are:

1. Severe tooth pain – a throbbing pain in a tooth, especially when you bite down or apply pressure, may be a sign of infected or inflamed pulp.
2. Sensitivity to hot or cold – a sharp or intense pain when you eat or drink hot or cold foods and beverages may prompt a root canal.
3. Swollen gums – usually when your gums are swollen, tender, or red around a particular tooth.
4. Discoloration – is when a tooth turns dark or black.
5. Visible damage to a tooth, such as a crack, chip, or large cavity

Is A Root Canal Procedure Worthwhile?

Some reasons why we recommend root canal treatments at 3rd & Columbia Dental are:

6. It saves your natural tooth – instead of a tooth extraction, an endodontic procedure near you will save your natural tooth.
7. It relieves severe tooth pain caused by an infected or inflamed pulp – instead of suppressing the pain with some medicine, root canal treatments address the source of the pain.
8. It prevents further damage – by removing the infected or damaged pulp, the treatment prevents the spread of bacteria that cause infection to other teeth and gums.
9. It is a cost-effective option – root canal therapy is generally less expensive than a tooth extraction that later requires tooth replacement with an artificial tooth.
10. It has a high success rate – root canal therapy has a success rate of over 90%, making it highly effective at saving teeth with few potential complications.