Sciota, Pennsylvania
Root canal: It’s a two-word phrase that may send shivers down your spine.
In the past, undergoing a root canal was an intensive procedure. Thankfully, technological advances in dentistry mean a root canal can be performed in less time with greater effectiveness and much less risk of discomfort. Read on as, today on the blog, your dentists in Sciota at Chestnuthill Dental explain why a root canal is not as scary as you might think.
The need-to-know about root canals
Sometimes, an area of tooth decay bores through the entire exterior of your tooth, affecting the interior structure, potentially making its way all the way down to the tooth root. This interior, known as dental pulp, is soft tissue that contains the blood vessels and dental nerve of the tooth. Because of the close proximity to the nerve, if you have decay that affects the interior, you’re going to notice. This decay also can cause the tooth to become infected.
A root canal addresses this interior decay by removing the infected material, again going down to the root of the tooth if necessary. Most importantly, a root canal prevents total loss of the tooth. You will be surprised how effective a root canal can be: even if the tooth is causing severe discomfort, or there is an advanced infection present, or the tooth has sustained major damage, a root canal can save your tooth in Sciota.
But don’t root canals hurt?
Modern dentistry makes so many procedures more convenient and comfortable than they were in years past. A root canal is no exception. Our team of oral health professionals will administer a local anesthetic before any work begins, to ensure you remain numb and experience no discomfort. If you are anxious or fearful about the procedure, or have general anxiety about dental visits, then we offer oral sedation in Sciota to help keep you calm and feeling at ease during the procedure.
What to expect from a root canal in Sciota
A root canal consists of two separate appointments at our office:
- Once the anesthetic has been applied, your dentist in Sciota starts removing any damaged or infected dental pulp. The interior of your tooth is then cleaned thoroughly, before a material called gutta-percha is used to fill the area where the dental pulp previously resided. A temporary restoration is placed on the tooth. You also may be prescribed an antibiotic, depending on the severity of any infection that was present.
- You return approximately two weeks later to receive a dental crown, which replaces the exterior of the treated tooth. This completes the root canal process. Until you receive your permanent crown, you need to be careful with your tooth, as the temporary restoration is not as durable and only meant to remain on the tooth for a couple of weeks.
Root canals in Sciota, Pennsylvania
A root canal may sound frightening but if you are living with pain or heightened sensitivity because of a problematic tooth, it can be a boon for your dental health and also save your tooth from needing an extraction at a later date. If you think you might need a root canal or you have questions about any of the services offered at Chestnuthill Dental, schedule a consultation today by calling (570) 402-7001 or contacting us online.
