Root Canal Therapy
Root Canals – Kenmore, WA
If you’re experiencing pain or swelling around a tooth, it may be decaying or infected. While severely damaged teeth must get extracted, you can save them with root canal therapy. Once you notice signs of infection, schedule an appointment with Kenmore Dental right away so we can assess your condition. Our experienced dental team gets patients out of pain with root canal treatments in Kenmore.
At Kenmore Dental, we strive to make our patients comfortable and reduce anxiety before any dental procedure. Call us now at (425)485-0588 to schedule your root canal treatments with our highly-trained team.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a necessary dental procedure when a tooth’s nerves get impacted by infection or decay. During the process, we remove all of the infected pulp, which is the tooth’s interior. We then fill the tooth with a rubber-like material that will prevent the tooth from shattering.
However, after root canal therapy, the impacted tooth will be brittle. Therefore, we recommend placing a crown over it to prevent chips and cracks. A crown also helps protect the tooth from further decay down the line.
What Causes Teeth to Become Infected?
There are various ways teeth can become infected, including:
- Severe decay that has reached the tooth’s pulp
- Injury or trauma
- Teeth grinding
- Untreated cracks or cavities
- Bacteria growth around large or loose fillings
- Abscess inside the tooth
What Can I Expect During A Root Canal Procedure?
During your appointment at Kenmore Dental, a member of our team will assess your infected tooth. If we determine root canal therapy is the best treatment option, we’ll numb the area and provide you with anesthesia. While root canals have a reputation for being painful, modern technology ensures patients experience nothing more than mild discomfort.
We begin the procedure by making a small hole in the infected tooth to access and remove all the infected areas. Unfortunately, this includes the dental pulp and often the roots, spreading the infection if left behind.
There are no adverse side effects to removing a tooth’s roots once it has fully matured since it’s responsible for the tooth’s growth. While the root also perceives the temperature of your food and drinks, removing it won’t significantly impact your senses.
Once the infected area and surrounding tissues are thoroughly cleaned, we will replace the tooth pulp with gutta-percha. This step also seals the hole and completes the procedure.
We highly recommend adding a crown to strengthen the tooth and prevent further damage, which we can customize to match the color and shape of your former natural tooth. You’ll be given a temporary crown to wear until your custom one gets made.
What Does Root Canal Therapy Aftercare Look Like?
After your root canal therapy in Kenmore, WA, you may experience some jaw soreness from keeping your mouth open during the procedure. You may also experience mild pain as the anesthetic wears off for up to two days. However, it usually only takes two or three days to heal from root canal therapy.
We will likely prescribe you antibiotics to take as you heal, and those who have low pain thresholds can request a prescription for pain killers. To help reduce your discomfort, be sure to:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers
- Eat mainly soft foods
- Brush and floss as usual
- Avoid hard or sticky foods while wearing a temporary crown
Schedule A Kenmore Root Canal Consultation
Trust Kenmore Dental to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable root canal therapy experience. Call us now at (425)485-0588 to schedule your appointment and treat your tooth infection right away.