Root Canals

Happy parents and children smiling family dentistry The Woodlands TX
Family Dentist in the Woodlands, TX

Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues. If left untreated, an infection can cause pain, swelling, and even total tooth loss.

Root canals remove the damaged parts of the tooth and the infected root. In some cases, an antibiotic is prescribed to help prevent further infection within the tooth. The remaining organic portion of the tooth may be restored with a cap or crown to maintain a natural appearance and normal tooth function.

An Easier, More Comfortable Procedure

Many patients associate root canals with pain and discomfort. But local anesthetics and advancements in modern dentistry have made root canals highly tolerable procedures that are often no less comfortable than getting a standard filling. Upon completion, a restored tooth that has undergone a root canal will blend in with surrounding teeth – virtually undetectable to the average eye. More than 9 out of 10 root canal procedures are successful, and most treatments last many years or even a lifetime.

With the help of a 3D scan, we can identify all canals before beginning root canal treatment. We use rotary files, an apex locator, and a heated gutta-percha state-of-the-art endodontic approach. We also use a Morita apex locator, along with our 3D CT scan, to perform accurate root canal treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for a root canal?

You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage has allowed bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. A root canal could also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible instead of extracting both the healthy and diseased portions of your tooth. For more information about root canals and whether they are right for you, schedule a dental exam and consultation at your earliest convenience.

What should I expect during my root canal treatment?

If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and, if necessary, treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being crowned.

What type of post-treatment care is required after a root canal?

It is normal for teeth to become inflamed after a root canal, which may cause sensitivity for the first several days after treatment. However, normal brushing and flossing habits can be resumed immediately after treatment and restoration is complete.

Make An Appointment

If you are experiencing tooth pain, it could be related to tooth decay. Contact Laraway Family Dentistry to make an appointment so we can evaluate your overall dental health and help you determine the best solution for your pain.

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