For some patients like you, the mere mention of a root canal is enough to send them into a panic. At Bivona Family Dental, we understand your concerns! For years, root canals have been painted as terrifying and painful procedures, likely due to the history of questionable dentistry methods. However, modern dentistry has significantly changed the way we perform root canals! We utilize specialized dental tools designed to minimize pain and maintain your smile’s health and comfort. Despite its negative connotation, root canal treatment is actually relatively comfortable, causing more pain relief than actual pain. If you are experiencing dental pain, visit us in Jasper, AL, to learn if a root canal is the right treatment for your smile.
Why You May Need Root Canal Treatment
Most often, a root canal is necessary because of dental pain. When bacteria breach the outer layers of your tooth and reach the pulp inside, it’s common to experience persistent pain. This pulp is made of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves, making it extremely sensitive to infection. As your tooth begins to decay from within, it is at risk of needing an extraction. However, extracting a natural tooth is always a last resort.
If possible, we’ll use root canal treatment to remove this infected pulp while preserving the structure of your tooth!
Signs you may need a root canal include:
- Persistent tooth pain: Because pulp is so sensitive, infection can cause severe and continuous tooth pain. Often, a root canal is the best step you can take to find relief.
- Sensitivity to temperatures: Underneath your enamel is a layer of your tooth called dentin. This dentin is extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. As the bacteria enter further into your tooth, they expose your dentin to the elements.
- Swollen gum tissue: Gum swelling is never a good sign, as it’s often a result of tooth decay. Without prompt treatment, abscesses can form on your gums and secrete pus and bad odors.
- Discoloration of the tooth: Darkened or discolored teeth are often a sign of tooth decay or dying pulp inside your tooth.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, visit Bivona Family Dental as soon as possible! Tooth pain often indicates an urgent dental care need, so the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can treat you. In many cases, we may use root canal treatment to save your tooth from extraction.
Understanding the Procedure
Before we perform a root canal, we’ll perform a dental examination and take comprehensive X-rays to determine the cause of your dental pain. If we determine that a root canal is the best option for your smile, we will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
First, we use a local anesthetic to ensure that you are numb and comfortable throughout the procedure. While most dental treatments require you to be awake, we do also provide sedation options for a more relaxing experience that still keeps you alert. Once you’re ready, we will lay a thin rubber sheet around the infected tooth to protect it from debris and saliva.
Then, we create an opening in the crown of the tooth to access the inner layers. Using specialized dental tools, we remove the pulp gently, eliminating the infection. Afterward, we clean the infected area and flush out any debris. Finally, we fill it with a thermoplastic material and cement a crown on top to protect your tooth from further infection.
With the infected pulp gone, we provide immediate pain relief while stopping the spread of bacteria.
While you may experience some discomfort or pain for the first few days, you should heal completely within a week.
Find Relief With Root Canal Treatment in Jasper, AL
While root canal treatment does sound frightening, the procedure is actually routine. If you are experiencing dental pain, a root canal may be the only thing between you and tooth extraction! With root canal therapy, we can remove the infection to keep your smile healthy and happy. Trust Bivona Family Dental with your smile and book an appointment today to discover if you need a root canal!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn about our other emergency services.
