Root Canals (Endodontics)

When is a root canal necessary?

A root canal is a restorative dentistry treatment that clears the infection of the soft tissue inside a tooth — called dental pulp. Anything from deep tooth decay to damage or injury can cause these infections. Root canals are among the best way to save your natural teeth from a tooth extraction. When coupled with a dental crown, a root canal can help you protect your teeth for years to come.

At Green Dental, we use 3-D imaging to assist in diagnosing teeth for root canals. This allows us to determine if there is an infection or other pathologies. We are one of the only practices within 60 miles that regularly uses this technology to help us diagnose and develop treatment plans for patients.

What happens during a root canal?

Drs. Gordon and Brooks Green and Dr. Nichole Barnett have conducted many root canals. There’s no need to go elsewhere if you need this treatment. To start off, we will use local anesthesia to ensure that you stay comfortable throughout the procedure. Once your tooth is numb, we will make a small hole in your tooth so we can remove the infected dental pulp. Next, we will carefully clean the rest of the inside of your tooth and fill it with antibiotics to keep the infection from happening again. Then, we’ll seal your tooth and provide a temporary filling. After your tooth has healed, we’ll replace the temporary filling with a permanent solution, which could be a filling or crown.

How much does a root canal hurt?

A common misconception is that a root canal treatment is painful. In fact, this treatment is instrumental in relieving the pain caused by the infection inside your tooth. Most patients report that a root canal is no more painful than a filling or other common dental procedure. With the proper use of local anesthesia, we can ensure you will stay comfortable throughout the treatment. If you still feel anxious about an upcoming root canal, don’t hesitate to let us know. We can discuss your options for sedation to help you relax.

How can I tell whether I need a root canal?

The most common signs that you may need a root canal include:

• Generalized pain in a tooth
• Lingering sensitivity long after you’ve eaten
• Intense pain when biting or chewing
• Swelling of the gums
• A sense or feeling of heat in the gum
• A pimple-like blemish on the gum line