Root Canals

Root canals are the most common procedure in dental industry. When the dental pulp of a tooth becomes infected it becomes necessary to remove the infection in order to save the tooth and prevent further issues. If left untreated an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.

A root canal is essentially a 2 step process:

1. Remove the infection, clean the canals and seal the tooth.
2. Place a crown over the exposed area.

The procedure begins with sedation or the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic. Dr. Polson or an endodontic specialist  will drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. The infected tissue can be removed and the canal cleaned. After the infection has been removed, the space if filled with a sealant called gutta percha. The last step is to fit the tooth that has had a root canal with a fitted crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is remains successful.

Dr. Polson may refer you to a specialist if your case is severely complicated. However, the crown placement will be completed by Dr. Polson.

Afraid Of A Root Canals?

Since the root canal is the most common procedure performed in dentistry the term "Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear. The benefits of modern technology and sedation dentistry make the procedure much less intimidating.

Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications ( 600 mg Ibuprofen)  are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but Dr. Polson may prescribe other medications. Follow the specific instructions provided for a faster and less painful healing process.

A root canal will relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. It will also stop other health issues form becoming a bigger problem.   You should be aware that once the root canal is finished the tooth will need a crown to ensure the tooth will be able to withstand the routine forces of oral habits like eating.  Without a crown a root canaled tooth is more susceptible to fracturing and may become non-restorable.