What is a root canal?
Root canal refers to a chamber within your tooth, containing the tooth’s pulp and nerve endings, which can become infected due to advanced tooth decay, as well as the procedure used to treat this infection. Once the pulp of a tooth is infected, fast action is required to save that tooth, or the decay and infection can spread to the tissues surrounding the tooth, resulting in an abscess and possibly the need for extraction.
During a same-day root canal procedure, your McCormack Dental Group dentist removes the nerve and infected pulp. They then thoroughly clean the inside of the tooth and fill and seal it.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
In most cases, your dentist may install a crown on a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure. In some cases, a filling may adequately protect a tooth after root canal treatment, but a crown typically offers more protection for the treated tooth and helps restore its shape, size, and function.
McCormack Dental Group is proud to offer same-day CEREC® crowns right in the office. In many cases, this means patients don’t need to return for a second appointment to complete the procedure.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Root canal procedures have acquired a nasty reputation that is largely undeserved. An infected root canal is much more painful than the root canal procedure; it takes the pain away.
The team at McCormack Dental Group has the training to make endodontic treatment as painless as possible. If you’re anxious about your root canal treatment, talk to your dentist about your concerns and how you can handle them.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
You may need a root canal if your teeth have undergone advanced tooth decay that has penetrated the enamel and outer layers of your teeth, or if your tooth is cracked, chipped or otherwise damaged. Some signs that a tooth’s root is infected include:
- Severe pain around the infected tooth, especially when you bite down
- Increased sensitivity around the tooth, especially to heat or cold
- A small bump or abscess on your gums near the tooth
- Darkening of the tooth
- Tenderness or swelling of the gums
If you are experiencing tooth pain and think you may need a root canal, call McCormack Dental Group today, or make an appointment online using the scheduling tool. Same-day appointments are available.
