Root Canal Therapy IN MESA, AZ
Too many people ignore minor toothaches and end up with significant tooth problems. A toothache often is the first indicator of tooth decay, and ignoring it allows it to spread throughout the tooth and to your gums. If the decay spreads through the tooth, you may need root canal therapy at U Smile Family Dentistry to save your tooth.
What is a Root Canal?
When decay gets deep into the tooth or breaks at the root, our dentist will do a root canal to remove an infected or inflamed pulp caused by these problems. A tooth’s pulp consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. If it becomes inflamed or infected, it will require removal to stop the spread of decay and save the tooth.
How is the Pulp Removed?
Our dentist in Mesa, AZ, will remove the pulp by drilling a hole into the center of the diseased tooth. Then, when they reach the pulp, they remove the bacteria and decay, and our staff uses small files to reshape the root canals to help keep the tooth alive.
During root canal therapy near you, a material called gutta-percha often replaces the pulp. Our dentist will then fill the cavity or place a dental crown over the tooth to protect it. If there is only a small amount of the original crown remaining, then a replacement is necessary to prevent the tooth from breaking when chewing or talking.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take to Heal?
During the root canal, our dentist near you will make sure you’re comfortable by using sedation throughout the procedure. For the first few days after it, you may have some tenderness and discomfort around the tooth. If you require some pain relief, our dentist can prescribe it, but most people recover by using only over-the-counter pain medications.
It should take about a week to recover from the procedure, so if your discomfort goes beyond that time or the discomfort worsens, contact our office right away. If you’re experiencing a sharp toothache, contact our dentist at U Smile Family Dentistry for an examination. If there is decay or infection, root canal therapy in Mesa, AZ, may be necessary to save your tooth.