Our Salt Lake dentist may recommend a root canal if your tooth is infected or damaged. When you receive a root canal, our dentist will remove the diseased dental pulp, clean the canal and seal the tooth to protect it and prevent any further damage. A crown will then be provided to cap the tooth and offer additional protection.
A treated tooth will no longer have nerves or a blood supply to nourish it. While you will experience pressure and hardness through remaining nerves in the area, the tooth itself will not cause any discomfort or feel any sensations going forward.
This treatment works to restore your oral health without extracting your teeth, allowing you to continue using your natural teeth and preventing the need for more extensive care. To make an appointment with Dr. Keith Warr or Dr. Margaret Hyams and learn more about root canal treatment in Millcreek and Salt Lake City, Utah, contact Warr Dental at 801-355-5385.
Preparing for a Root Canal
You will not need to do anything to prepare for your root canal treatment. Root canals may be performed using local anesthesia or a deeper form of sedation. If you are receiving sedation, you may need to avoid eating prior to your procedure and have someone available to drive you to and from our office. Our dentist and team will provide you with detailed instructions prior to your appointment.
While root canals have a reputation for being painful, our dentists and team use the latest advancements in treatment techniques and sedation, making it possible for you to receive your treatment in comfort. Root canals are no more uncomfortable than receiving a dental filling, and our dentists and team will take care to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your procedure.
Following your treatment, you may experience some swelling, tenderness and discomfort in the treated area. This can be addressed with over-the-counter painkillers and with pain management options such as cold packs as needed. You should recover and return to regular activities within one to two days.
Alternative Treatment Options
Endodontic treatment is recommended to save your teeth. It is a relatively simple procedure and can usually be completed in one to three visits. Often, the only alternative to a root canal is a tooth extraction. If an infected tooth must be removed, our dentist may recommend dental implants or another prosthetic option.
The vast majority of root canals are successful, and it is unlikely that you will need to have a previously treated tooth treated a second time. In some cases, however, a tooth may become reinfected, and in this case, our dentists can provide a root canal retreatment.
Various at-home remedies may help to alleviate pain and treat abscesses. However, these will not address the cause of your infection and cannot prevent its recurrence. At-home solutions such as saltwater rinses, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide rinses and oil pulling are temporary solutions and will not help the tooth to heal or protect it. We strongly recommend that you meet with dentists to discuss a root canal and receive professional care so that you can enjoy optimal oral health.
Prevention
We strongly recommend that you maintain good oral hygiene and continue to make and keep your regular dental appointments every six months. This will reduce your chances of reinfection and help ensure that any problems that do develop are diagnosed and treated promptly.
You can schedule an appointment with our dentists and team and learn more about root canal therapy in Millcreek and Salt Lake City], Utah, by contacting us at 801-355-5385.
