When you think of a root canal, you might conjure images of intense pain and discomfort. While this once might’ve have been the case, the dentistry and technology used in root canals has evolved tenfold from its early days. Modern day treatments are safe, effective, common, and hurt no more than a routine filling. So if you’ve been told you need a root canal, there’s no need to worry — and at Corner Dentistry, your comfort is always our number one priority.
Being diligent about practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to ward off future problems and maintain your teeth’s health for years to come, While this is always the best course of action, we’re all human and we understand that issues might arise to warrant a root canal. Dr. Shim has years of experience performing this treatment for patients, so when you choose Corner Dentistry, you can rest assured knowing you’re in good hands.
What are Root Canals?
Root canals are a safe and effective way of removing infected pulp from a tooth, restoring a decayed tooth to a healthy, strong, and less sensitive state. This is done by drilling into the tooth to remove the pulp and nerve, which eliminates the bacteria, pain, and any sensitivity that resulted from the infection.
Since permanent adult teeth can get their nourishment from surrounding tissue, not the pulp itself, this treatment has no long-term consequences for the affected teeth.
When You Need a Root Canal
Sensitive teeth are one of the first signs that you might need a root canal. Since bacteria in the nerves and jaw can result in sensitivity, this is a sign that infection is starting to take hold deep within the tooth. The bacteria should be removed as soon as possible to prevent any more issues or damage from developing. If you have cracked teeth or a deep cavity in your tooth, you might also need a root canal to ensure any damaging bacteria is removed and to sterilize the tooth.
Some patients who need a root canal say they’d prefer to have their infected tooth removed, rather than going through their root canal treatment. This is usually a result of the pain one might think of when they imagine a root canal, but saving your original tooth is always the best option. Restoring your natural tooth will help with efficient chewing, normal biting, keeping a natural appearance, and will even help surrounding teeth by not putting unnecessary wear and strain on them. Even with all of the technological innovations in dentistry, nothing will look or feel as good as your natural tooth, and root canals can restore your damaged teeth for a lifetime.
Our Root Canal Procedure
As with all of our treatments at Corner Dentistry, our patients’ comfort is always top of mind. We start with thoroughly numbing the affected area to our patient’s comfort. If you’re feeling especially anxious about your treatment, let us know and we’ll take extra considerations to ensure your comfort.
After the area is properly numbed, we then begin the process by drilling down into the tooth. This is similar to the filling process, but with a root canal we go further until we reach the pulp chamber. To disinfect the area and chambers of the tooth, we spray a bacteria-killing liquid into the chamber to sterilize the area. Small instruments are then used to clean out the canals and shape them.
Once the canals are shaped and cleaned, the final step is to fill and seal the tooth to block future bacteria from forming in the empty chambers. The recovery time for a root canal is pretty fast with the worst after-effects being slight tenderness for a day or two after the procedure, which over the count pain relievers can help with. After a week or two of healing, Dr. Shim will have you back in the office to place a final filling over it or a crown, depending on your specific case.
Root Canal Services in Phoenix
Whether you think you might be a candidate for a root canal or simply want to schedule a check up to determine the health of your teeth, Corner Dentistry will be able to assess the best course of action for your specific case. With over a decade of experience, we’ll ensure the comfort and oral health of our patients before, during, and after their procedure.