What to Expect From Root Canal Treatment

Did you know that more than 120 million Americans have lost a tooth? As a dental professional, this statistic brings me down because our goal is to improve people's smiles and motivate them to preserve a healthy one.

A long time ago, there was no way of saving a severely damaged dental piece. The treatment was tooth extraction. Today, thanks to modern dentistry, infected teeth can be saved with root canal therapy near you.

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy in Livonia consists of an endodontist removing the infection of the root canal system. They will disinfect it and seal it with a biocompatible material. We will explain the details further.

Symptoms That You May Need Root Canal Treatment

You must visit an endodontic dentist in Livonia if you feel the following symptoms:

• Toothache – A healthy tooth should not hurt. If it does, it is your body telling you that something is wrong. When a person needs a root canal, it is normal that they feel a sharp pain in the infected tooth when they eat or drink hot or cold foods/beverages. The pain can also appear randomly or while you sleep.
• A dark tooth – The tooth’s pulp is where the blood vessels are. When it is infected, the tooth “dies” and the necrotic tissue causes dark staining within the tooth.
• Gum issues – Your gums will inflame due to the infection, leading to painful and red gums.

Steps of a Root Canal

An endodontic dentist near you will perform the procedure in the following steps:

1. Infection removal – They will remove the decayed structure with a dental drill. Since the infection made its way to the nerve, your dental professional will drill a hole on the crown to access the pulp and remove it. The canals are also infected, so your doctor will eliminate the necrotic tissue from them.
2. Disinfection – They will use Sodium Hypochlorite to irrigate the canals and eliminate remaining bacteria. Afterward, they will dry them.
3. Sealing – A dental professional will use a biocompatible material called Gutta-percha and cement to seal the canals and place a temporary filling to prevent bacteria from reinfecting the tooth. 

You will need a more resistant restoration, like a porcelain dental crown, to restore your tooth. A common mistake that patients make is believing that the temporary filling will last forever. It won’t seal the tooth correctly for too long, neither will it resist occlusal forces, so your tooth may crack.

Remember that a tooth becomes brittle after the root canal, so you better make a trip to the dental office as soon as possible for your dental crown.

A porcelain crown will strengthen the tooth, and it can improve its appearance.

How Long Does a Root Canal Last?

A root canal may last several years, even decades, if you take proper care of your teeth.

Is Root Canal Therapy Expensive?

Root canal therapy is pricey, but it extends the life of your tooth for many years. It is a long-term investment, and we strongly recommend our patients undergo this procedure to save their damaged teeth. 

In the long run, extracting a tooth is more expensive because you then need dental implants and porcelain crowns. And tooth loss has consequences such as teeth shifting, bone loss, abnormalities when speaking and eating, a decrease in your self-esteem, and more.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you are interested in root canal therapy or have more questions, contact us at your best convenience. We have a team of caring professionals who are looking forward to helping you improve your smile and your life quality.