An infected tooth can be very painful and may jeopardize the tooth. When decay and infection reach the inside of tooth roots, it must be completely eradicated, or the tooth will die. The only way to save a severely infected tooth is through root canal therapy. Our experienced dentists at Creative Dentistry & Medspa offer advanced options in root canal therapy at our dental center in Sandy Springs, GA.
Although you may be apprehensive about having a root canal, we have dental technology that can make you comfortable throughout this general dentistry procedure. You will need a root canal if decay has gotten into the pulp or your tooth has broken off in an accident. Being aware of what to expect from the procedure can also help you feel at ease.
Process for Root Canals
If you have a toothache or the crown of your tooth has cracked or is broken, then a root canal is often necessary to repair the tooth. When you visit one of our dentists at Creative Dentistry & Medspa, he or she will do a thorough examination of your teeth, and we will likely take digital x-rays of the problem tooth. Then, they will concentrate on the tooth that needs a root canal to form a treatment plan.
The treatment will usually take at least two visits. On the first visit to our dentist, he or she will perform the root canal by numbing the tooth and drilling into the crown to access its interior. The pulp gets removed, and the root chamber gets sterilized and filled temporarily. The dentist then places an order for a crown to cover and protect the tooth from damage.
Root Canal Aftercare
After the first phase of a root canal, you will need to take care with what you eat and try not to bite down on the tooth. Choose soft foods until you go back for the final step of the procedure, which is placing the crown. Also, gently brush and floss the tooth to keep the area clean.
Placing the Crown
Once the crown arrives at our office, our team will contact you to come in for your second appointment. One of our dentists at Creative Dentistry & Medspa will place the crown over the tooth. It is important to ensure the crown fits snugly and properly – our dental team will check bite alignment and make the needed adjustments. Once the crown is fitted correctly, we will cement the crown in place.
Usually, over-the-counter pain medication will take care of any discomfort that you feel. If it doesn’t, or the tooth still feels sensitive after a few days, contact our dentist at Creative Dentistry & Medspa in Atlanta, GA. However, the discomfort usually goes away in a day or two. Keep eating soft foods for a few days to allow for the tooth to finish healing, and then you can eat the foods that you love.
Root canal therapy is a complex dental procedure, but it can immediately stop the pain of an infected tooth and protect it from loss. If you have tooth pain or a broken tooth, come see us at Creative Dentistry & Medspa. We offer a comfortable, relaxing environment to perform root canal therapy to save your tooth. Contact our office in Sandy Springs, GA, to schedule your appointment.