Root Canals in Royal Oak, MI
Dr. Douglas Eades, of Royal Oak, MI, is a professional, highly qualified dentist experienced in many dental procedures, including root canals. Read on to learn more about the procedure.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that involves removing the pulp of a tooth to relieve pain, preserve the structure of a tooth, and maintain good oral health.
The pulp is the soft center of a tooth. It contains connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels, which is why it is so essential that this procedure be carried out by a confident dental professional such as Dr. Eades.
Who Would Be a Good Candidate for a Root Canal?
People who have a damaged, inflamed, infected, or otherwise painful pulp may need a root canal.
Don’t worry; anesthesia is administered for a pain-free procedure. The tooth’s crown can remain intact, too; your teeth will look and feel much better after a needed root canal is performed.
What Causes the Need for a Root Canal?
Ultimately, a damaged pulp is the cause of all root canals. What damages the pulp, though, may vary. The most common causes of pulp injury or infection include:
- A hard, direct blow to the mouth or tooth. Your tooth doesn’t have to be cracked to be damaged internally.
- A chipped or cracked (weak) tooth
- Multiple, repeated procedures on the same tooth or teeth
- An untreated cavity that eventually leads to decay
Symptoms of a Damaged Pulp
You should visit your dentist for a root canal consultation if you have pain in your tooth, feel heat or discomfort in your gums, or swelling in your gum line.
The Process of Performing a Root Canal
First, your dentist will apply a small portion of liquid or gel numbing medication to your gum close to the affected tooth. When the initial numbing medication begins to work, your dentist will then inject a local anesthetic into the gum line, so the rest of your procedure will be pain-free. Anesthesia does not put you to sleep but instead prevents pain.
Once your tooth is thoroughly numbed, your dentist will make a small opening in the top of the tooth, exposing the pulp, and then carefully extract the pulp using files. After the bulk of the pulp is removed, your dentist will carefully clean all the tiny canals in your tooth.
Next, your dentist will coat this section of your tooth and gums with a topical antibiotic to ensure the infection is completely removed and that reinfection can’t happen. Then, your dentist will fill and seal the tooth and add a temporary filling, so the canals won’t be damaged by saliva.
Root canals only take thirty to ninety minutes in total, so before you know it, it’ll be over.