Root Canals
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Shapiro Family Dental
General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in Wethersfield, CT
The idea of getting a root canal can inspire fear in some, but it’s actually one of the most commonly performed dental procedures in the United States. The team at Shapiro Family Dental in Wethersfield, Connecticut, regularly performs simple, hassle-free root canals, which can save an infected tooth and spare you from having to undergo an extraction. If you’re concerned about getting a root canal, call the office or schedule a consultation online with the professional dentists at Shapiro Family Dental to discuss procedure specifics.
Root Canals Q & A
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a tooth-saving treatment that targets infection in your tooth’s root. You need a root canal when inflammation or infection affects the roots of a tooth, specifically the pulp inside it. The procedure alleviates pain and restores the health and function of your tooth.
Root canal therapy involves removing the damaged pulp inside the tooth. If left untreated, an infected or inflamed pulp can progress and lead to severe decay or even tooth loss.
How does a root canal work?
First, your dentist at Shapiro Family Dental uses a local anesthetic to numb the affected tooth, minimizing discomfort during the procedure. They also place a rubber sheet around the tooth to keep it clean and dry throughout.
Once everything is set up, they begin by using a special dental drill to create a hole in the top of your tooth. This creates access to the pulp inside. With special dental instruments, your dentist carefully removes the damaged pulp. Then they clean the inner chamber of your tooth with water and disinfectant material.
To finish up, they fill in the canal with a rubber-like material and seal the top of your tooth.
What is the recovery like after a root canal?
After a root canal, there’s no significant downtime. However, the team at Shapiro Family Dental may recommend getting a dental crown to provide extra protection from future damage or infection for the affected tooth. A crown can also help restore the tooth’s healthy appearance.
Within a week or two of your root canal, you’ll come back to the office for a follow-up visit. During this visit, the team evaluates your tooth to make sure there aren’t any remaining signs of infection.
Is a root canal painful?
The simple answer is no; a root canal isn’t painful. The idea that root canals are painful procedures is a common misconception. Root canals don’t cause pain — they relieve it. The team at Shapiro Family Dental also uses sedation during root canal therapy to make the procedure as comfortable and straightforward as possible. After a root canal procedure, the pain and sensitivity you were experiencing before treatment on your infected pulp will disappear altogether. Sensitivity may continue for a few days afterward, but this subsides quickly.
If you have questions or concerns about a root canal, call the office or book a consultation online today.
