Root canal therapy (also known as endodontic treatment) is often recommended to save a damaged or infected tooth. In order to save the tooth, our dentist, Dr. Scott Steedman, will remove the living tissue or pulp of the teeth along with the tooth’s nerves, present bacteria and any decay. These will be replaced with special, medicated dental materials designed to restore function to the tooth.
Our dentist typically recommends root canal therapy over tooth extraction because root canal therapy can save the tooth without causing additional harm to the mouth. While many people think that extracting a tooth is the best solution to dental pain, extraction can actually create more problems for adjacent teeth and be more costly for patients in the end. Root canal therapy, on the other hand, can restore and save your natural tooth, allowing you to have a smile that is healthy, complete and functional. Because of local anesthetic and our other comfort technologies, root canal therapy can be a comfortable experience, as well!
You may need root canal therapy if you experience one or more of the following:
- Severe toothaches
- Swelling/tenderness
- An abscess on the gums
- Sensitivity to cold/hot
The dentist will propose root canal therapy as a solution if your tooth has:
- Decay in the pulp
- Trauma or injury
- An infection or abscess
Procedure
Root canal therapy can be completed in just one or two visits to our practice. We will numb the tooth with local anesthetic and then carefully remove affected pulp and nerve tissue through an access opening at the top of the tooth. We will also remove bacteria and any tooth decay.
After a thorough cleaning, we will seal the tooth with a filling. Then, at this appointment or another appointment the following week, we will fill the roots and inner cavity of the tooth with special dental materials. A filling and then a dental crown will be placed on the tooth for protection and aesthetics.
Some sensitivity is not uncommon after the therapy, but this will subside as you heal. If you experience any dental discomfort or pain, please call Smiles By Steedman at 425-334-4087 as soon as possible. We can help you decide if root canal therapy in Lake Stevens, Washington, is right for you.