Root Canal Treatment

Why Do People Need Root Canals?

When a tooth becomes infected, the infection has the potential to spread to the tooth’s dental pulp, which is where all of the tooth’s most sensitive areas are contained. As a result, when the area becomes infected, it can be excruciatingly painful and need urgent medical attention. At Scottsdale Family Smiles, we can perform root canals quickly, and with very little discomfort involved.

How Do Root Canals Work?

A root canal procedure involves drilling a small hole in the tooth to extract all contaminated tissue. The dental pulp is extracted, as are the roots in certain cases. Removal of the tooth root causes no harm to fully mature teeth. It can, however, prevent the further spread of infection.

The opening once containing the dental pulp is then closed in order to complete the root canal. This closure is often completed using gutta-percha, a rubber-like material that will aid in stabilizing the tooth.

Finally, a tooth-colored, natural-looking crown or filling is used to further strengthen the tooth, and because of the material used, it blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.

Why Should I Have a Root Canal?

A root canal treatment is extremely effective for saving damaged teeth by removing any infection that may be there. Root canals make are a relatively quick, easy way to repair damage and allow individuals with tooth infection to get back to eating and drinking regularly.

If you suspect that you have a tooth infection, a root canal can be one of the best possible ways to repair the damage.

What About Discomfort?

During a root canal, we can relieve both pain and anxiety in a number of ways. We offer painless dentistry to help patients relax during their dental procedures. This can be accomplished by prescribing medication beforehand to relax the patient or providing medication to numb the particular area during the procedure.

What Are the Advantages of This Procedure?

Root canals can save teeth that would otherwise need to be pulled, which is a far better option by far. Keeping teeth is important to maintain the shape of a patient’s face, and tooth loss can result in muscle loosening and facial sagging. Though the loss of a single tooth will likely not change the patient’s facial shape, the spread of infection to more teeth may.

Additionally, a root canal has a fast recovery time. Once the infection is removed and the tooth has been strengthened, it will behave as it did before the infection. Biting, chewing, and drinking will become simple again.

A restored tooth will look just like the patient’s natural teeth, so no one will be able to notice that there was ever a dental procedure done.