Root Canals
Are you suffering from severe toothache pain, swelling, or tenderness in the mouth? Have your teeth recently become more sensitive to hot or cold? Did you have pimple-like bumps or abscesses on your gums? These signs and symptoms may indicate that your tooth has experienced decay or infection, which means you may need root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy can be done right here in our Indianapolis dental office, conveniently located for most Indy-area residents. Root canals are generally recommended for people who have:
- Tooth decay in the tooth pulp (the living material inside your teeth),
- Infection inside the tooth or at the root,
- A recent injury involving the tooth,
- Abscesses within the tooth or at the root’s tip,
- Chronic pain brought on by hot and cold liquids.
What can you expect during root canal therapy at Ley Dentistry of Indianapolis? A dental root canal is a tooth restoration procedure that includes removing the decaying or infected portion of the tooth’s pulp in order to save the existing tooth. After the dentist numbs your mouth and removes the infected portion of the tooth during a root canal, he will then fill the remaining chamber with a rubber-based material to seal it off from further damage. Contrary to urban myths, you should not feel any pain during the procedure. Because root canals open teeth up to potential fracture, the dentist must also cover the tooth with a crown—an artificial tooth-like covering.
Root canals typically take only one visit to our Indianapolis dental office; however, more appointments may be necessary depending on your exact dental needs. After getting a root canal, you can expect some soreness and tenderness for a couple of days after the procedure until healing occurs. As always, you will want to be sure to practice good oral hygiene in order to protect your root canal’s success, avoid further decay, and enjoy your healthy, happy grin for years to come.
