Root canals have a bad reputation. Many people are afraid of them, thinking they’re a horrible, painful procedure. However, this procedure isn’t something that you have to worry about. At Palmetto Smiles, a quality dentist in Florence, SC, our experienced dentists can explain exactly how a root canal will work.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that’s used to remove the pulp in the inside of the tooth that’s become infected. This happens when a cavity is left untreated and the decay then spreads to the tooth pulp. The infection makes the pulp inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort for the patient. If the infected pulp isn’t removed, it can lead to needing a full-on tooth extraction.
How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
You may not always be able to tell if you have a cavity. In the early stages of tooth decay, there are minimal signs and symptoms. If you don’t keep up with a regular schedule of dental visits, you’re more likely to get cavities. X-rays and other dental technology can catch cavities early so that they don’t get to the point of needing a root canal
Once a cavity becomes serious, you’ll start to notice pain in your tooth or gums. If you need a root canal, you’ll have prolonged or constant pain. You may have a sensitivity to eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages. Your gums get swollen and you may notice that your tooth is severely discolored. Any of these signs mean you need to see your Florence, SC dentist immediately.
What Can I Expect From a Root Canal?
A root canal isn’t something that you have to be afraid of. It’s not a large surgical procedure. All of it can be done in our office under local anesthesia. The only part that’s numbed is the direct area that’s going to be experiencing the procedure
Once the anesthetic has taken effect, a small hole is drilled into the tooth. A small tool is then inserted into this hole, removing all of the infected pulp. The tooth is completely cleared and cleaned to ensure that there’s no infected material remaining.
Then, the hole is filled in with a special material called gutta-percha. It’s injected into the tooth to replace the tooth pulp that was removed. This can make sure that your tooth remains stable without the pulp. This also deters the chance of more tooth decay occurring in this tooth
After this is finished, we’ll fit your tooth with a customized dental crown. It goes over the entire tooth, so you have full functionality and stability in your tooth. You’ll be able to eat and bite normally. The crown is colored to blend with the rest of your smile, so no one will be able to notice the difference.
A Root Canal at Your Dentist in Florence, South Carolina
At Palmetto Smiles, we’ll make sure that your root canal procedure goes smoothly. Call us today or schedule an appointment online!