What To Expect From A Root Canal

What to expect from a root canal

What To Expect From A Root Canal

What To Expect From A Root Canal: A Comprehensive Guide

What to expect from a root canal

When it comes to dental procedures, root canals can be daunting for patients. However, root canals are highly successful and have saved countless teeth from extraction. A root canal is a procedure that involves removing the pulp of the tooth, which is the tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This blog post will go over what to expect from a root canal at our Easton, PA dental practice, so that you can feel comfortable and well-informed.

Step 1: Diagnosis and Treatment Plan

Before the root canal procedure, your dentist will take X-rays of the affected tooth to assess the extent of the damage. They will also perform a physical exam to determine the cause of the damage. Once the diagnosis is complete, the dentist will discuss the treatment plan with you. This includes explaining the root canal process, how long it will take, and what you can expect before and after the procedure.

Step 2: Numbing the Area

Before the root canal procedure, the dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. This will help you feel comfortable during the procedure. If you feel anxious about the procedure, your dentist may provide a sedative to help you relax.

Step 3: Cleaning the Tooth

The next step in a root canal is to clean out the damaged pulp tissue inside the tooth. The dentist will make an access hole in the tooth and use specialized tools to remove the pulp. The root canal space will then be shaped, cleaned, and disinfected to get rid of any remaining bacteria.

Step 4: Sealing the Tooth

After the root canal space is cleaned, your dentist will fill it with a special material called gutta-percha. This seals the space and keeps bacteria from re-entering the tooth. If the tooth is not yet fully restored, the dentist may place a temporary filling to protect the tooth until the final restoration is completed.

Step 5: Final Restoration

In most cases, the tooth will require a final restoration such as a dental crown or filling. This will depend on the extent of the damage, the location of the tooth, and your individual treatment plan. Your dentist will discuss the options with you and help you choose the best solution for your needs.

Root canals can save damaged and infected teeth from extraction, but the process can be intimidating. At College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA, we prioritize patient comfort and want to ensure that our patients feel informed and at ease during every procedure. If you have any additional questions about what to expect from a root canal or would like to schedule your next appointment, please contact us.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal?

Signs You May Need A Root Canal?

Signs You May Need A Root Canal?

What to Look For – Signs You May Need A Root Canal

No one wants to need a root canal, but it’s an essential dental procedure that can help save your teeth from serious damage. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your mouth, it’s important to pay attention. Here at College Hill Dental Group in Easton PA, we want our patients to be informed and knowledgeable about their own oral health. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of signs that may indicate you need a root canal.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal

 

Severe Toothache

This can be the most obvious sign that something is wrong with your teeth. The pain may be radiating and chronic or intermittent. If you experience tooth pain that isn’t relieved by over-the-counter medications, it’s time to call us for an appointment as soon as possible so we can determine whether or not you need a root canal procedure.

Darkening of Teeth

If your teeth have become discolored and darker than usual, it’s possible that the nerves inside your tooth are damaged or infected and need immediate attention. This could mean the difference between having to do a root canal procedure or having to remove the tooth altogether.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal?

Sensitivity To Temperature

Have you noticed that hot and cold foods cause extreme sensitivity? This can also be an indication that something isn’t right with one of your teeth and needs further investigation from us here at College Hill Dental Group in Easton PA.

Contact Us Today

No one enjoys going through a root canal procedure, but if left untreated, the condition of your teeth could worsen significantly over time and lead to more serious problems down the road such as gum disease or even tooth loss. It’s important to pay attention to any signs that may indicate you need a root canal so you can get help quickly and preserve your oral health for years to come! If you think you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact us here at College Hill Dental Group in Easton PA for a consultation today!

Do I Have A Tooth Infection?

Do I Have A Tooth Infection?

Everything You Need To Know About A Tooth Infection

What Is A Tooth Infection?

Do I have a tooth infection? A tooth infection can cause pain, swelling, and damage to the surrounding teeth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the jawbone, resulting in further damage in the future. It is typically caused by a build-up of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque can irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed and bleed. A way this can be treated is with antibiotics or a root canal procedure. However, if left untreated, the infection can lead to serious complications. If you think you may have a tooth infection, it is important to see the best dentist in Easton PA, College Hill Dental Group as soon as possible.

Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection 

One of the most common dental problems is an infection of the tooth, known as a dental abscess. A dental abscess occurs when bacteria enter the tooth and begin to multiply. Our friends at High Desert Dental warn us that this can happen due to decay, a deep cavity, or a crack in the tooth. The initial symptoms of a dental abscess are pain and sensitivity, although the pain may worsen as the infection spreads. Other symptoms include swelling, redness, and tenderness in the gums. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to clear the infection and a root canal to remove any damaged tissue. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected tooth.

Treatment For A Tooth Infection

Treatment typically involves antibiotics to clear the infection and a root canal to remove any damaged tissue. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected tooth. They help to kill the bacteria and reduce inflammation. In some cases, root canal therapy may also be necessary. This involves removing the infected pulp from inside the tooth and cleaning out the root canal. Once the infection is gone, Dr. Brittany Malia will place a filling

Do I Have A Tooth Infection?

Contact College Hill Dental Group Today!

College Hill Dental Group is always glad to hear from current and future patients. If you have any questions about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Do I Need a Root Canal?

root canal - College Hill Dental Group

Do I Need a Root Canal?

Our teeth are something that we use on a daily basis. Typically, any aches or pains are a sign that something is not right. Dentists in Easton, PA, agree that if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need a root canal?” you should consult with a dental professional before the problem gets worse. In this article, Dr. David Moghadam shares everything you need to know about root canals. 

About Our Smiles

The roots of your teeth have openings referred to as canals. These canals contain nerve fibers and blood vessels. In short, the blood vessels and nerves keep your teeth alive. If these nerves or blood vessels develop an infection or decay, you can start to feel pain in the affected tooth. When that happens, a root canal may be required to repair that diseased tooth. This procedure entails the skills of an endodontist or general dentist at College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA. The procedure consists of removing the pulp inside the affected tooth and then sealing the canals so that the tooth can remain functional and pain-free.

Why Would You Need to Undergo a Root Canal?

Your dentist in Easton, PA, may recommend that you undergo root canal therapy if your tooth exhibits signs of pulpal damage or infection. If your tooth is damaged or develops a sizeable cavity, oral bacteria may penetrate to the root and infect the pulp. Your dentist will likely use an intraoral camera to show you exactly what they’re seeing. If treatment isn’t provided promptly, the bacteria can lead to serious infection, bone loss, and in advanced cases, the tooth itself will be lost.

According to the emergency dentistry experts at College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA, the most common reasons for pulpal damage include:

  • Traumatic injuries, such as sports injuries, which result in nerve tissue damage
  • Physical irritation, such as that resulting from deep tooth decay. This irritation eventually reaches the nerve and damages it.
  • A crack or fracture that extends to the root of the tooth, thereby adversely affecting the pulp inside the tooth.

What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Damaged Dental Pulp?

Our friend Dr. Ben Kacos, an endodontist in Shreveport, LA, points out that while different people will exhibit different signs and symptoms, the following are the most common of those signs:

  • Tooth pain as the individual is chewing
  • Severe tooth sensitivity to hot or cold drinks
  • Facial or gum swelling
  • Graying or discoloration of the affected tooth
  • Tenderness and swelling of the gums close to the tooth with damaged pulp
  • Pus or draining from the affected tooth

In our many years of experience in endodontics, some cases of pulpal damage don’t trigger any signs, and the patient remains unaware that such damage has occurred. For this reason, we always encourage our patients to come in regularly for dental cleanings and exams. Any dental problems that begin to develop can be detected early and treated before they progress and become worse problems.

The Root Canal Treatment Procedure

When you come to College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA, to have a root canal performed, we will begin by administering a numbing agent. Numbing the area will ensure that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.

Once the anesthetic kicks in, your Easton PA dentist will proceed to drill into the tooth in order to access the infected or dead pulp inside. The dentist will then remove all the infected or dead pulpal tissue, followed by cleaning the area thoroughly.

Once the canal is clean, a sealing material will be used to cover the point through which the pulp was accessed. 

In most cases, a restoration, such as a dental crown, may be needed to restore the structural integrity of the treated tooth. Talk to your dentist at College Hill Dental Group about whether or not you’ll need additional treatment. 

In most cases, if you undergo a root canal at College Hill Dental Group, the results of that procedure will last for your lifetime. Make sure that you follow any aftercare instructions recommended by your dentist.

When to Contact Your Easton PA Dentist After a Root Canal

You need to contact a dentist in Easton, PA, as soon as you develop abnormal swelling or persistent tooth pain post root canal therapy. Take action immediately in case you have developed a dental abscess, bone loss, or even tooth loss.

If you have any of the symptoms described earlier, contact College Hill Dental Group immediately so that one of our Easton, PA dentists can help.