Few dental procedures are as feared as a root canal, and perhaps at some point in the past there was reason to worry about having a root canal. Today, though, it's a simple, safe, and excellent way to save your natural tooth.
Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff have heard all the scary stories about root canals gone wrong, but we want to assure you that modern dentistry makes a root canal almost as easy as getting a filling. Here, we break down the procedure, step-by-step, so you know exactly what to expect.
Before we get to the step-by-step guide, we should talk about the reasons Dr. Hiroshige might suggest a root canal. In short, a root canal is a way to save your natural tooth even if it’s badly decayed or infected.
Some of the symptoms that could indicate you need a root canal include:
Having one or more of those symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you need a root canal, but it’s a good idea to see Dr. Hiroshige if you have any of them.
When you have a root canal, Dr. Hiroshige removes the damaged or infected inner part of your tooth, fills the cavity, and caps your tooth with a crown. You retain the tooth and all the benefits—like being able to chew and speak comfortably, and you don’t have a gap that might allow your other teeth to shift.
Here are some expectations from your root canal:
Before you have a root canal, we take an X-ray to see exactly what’s going on beneath your gum line.
After your X-ray, we apply a local anesthetic, so you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. We also place a protective sheet called a dental dam over the area. This isolates your tooth and keeps the area clean and saliva-free during your procedure.
Dr. Hiroshige will drill a small hole in your tooth. The instruments he uses are tiny, so the hole is very small and allows access to the infected inner pulp of your tooth.
Using those tiny instruments, Dr. Hiroshige cleans away the infected or damaged pulp. This is essential to stop the damage.
Once the area is cleaned, Dr. Hiroshige uses a special, rubber-like material to fill and seal it off. After that, he fills the small hole temporarily.
The final step in a root canal requires a second visit when we remove the temporary filling and place a crown to seal and protect your tooth.
Your anesthetic wears off within a couple of hours, and you should be able to return to your normal daily activities. It’s best to wait to eat until your anesthetic has worn completely off.
You may experience some sensitivity for a couple of days, and you may use an over-the-counter pain reliever.
If you need a root canal, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. It’s a quick, safe, and easy way to protect your oral health. Make your appointment today.
