If you are suffering from a painful, persistent toothache, you may have an infected tooth in need of a root canal. At OG Dental, Dr. O’Grady performs gentle root canals to save your tooth and help you avoid further damage or more severe and costly issues. To learn more about root canal therapy, give us a call or stop by our Sunnyside office today!
Root canal therapy is an endodontic treatment used to clean and restore the inside of your tooth if it has become infected. This procedure is used to open up the tooth, clean and disinfect the inside, and fill it with an inert material that strengthens and preserves it.
A root canal is necessary when tooth decay or an oral injury has destroyed your enamel and exposed the “pulp” inside your tooth to oral bacteria. The pulp is what supports your tooth and keeps it alive. It’s filled with blood vessels and nerves, and if it becomes infected, it will start to die. This causes serious pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, will eventually result in the loss of your tooth.
The most common sign of an infected tooth is a serious, painful toothache that won’t go away. Other signs that you may need a root canal include discoloration and swelling around the affected tooth, increased tooth sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure, and discoloration in the tooth.
Many people dread root canal therapy due to the common misconception that they are painful. At OG Dental, Dr. O’Grady is gentle, and we use anesthetic to ensure that your procedure is as painless as possible. Many patients say that the pain from their damaged, infected tooth is much worse than the root canal to treat it. Dr. O’Grady will clean out the infected area and fill it, and you’ll leave our office with a healthier, stronger tooth!
At our office, Dr. O’Grady can treat both anterior (front) and posterior (molar and premolar) teeth with root canals. Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapy is not typically painful. Dr. O’Grady will begin by cleaning your teeth and numbing the treatment area. We also offer sedation for our patients, if you feel it will make you more comfortable. Next, he will isolate the tooth that is being treated to prevent bacteria from spreading.
Once your mouth is numb, he will remove any decayed and damaged enamel. Then, he will make a small opening in the tooth and use special tools to extract damaged material from the inside of your tooth. Once this process has been completed, he will flush your tooth with disinfectant to remove any remaining bacteria.
The tooth will then be filled with a special rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” This material takes the place of your pulp and supports your tooth structure. Then, he will restore your tooth with a temporary filling or crown. You will usually need to come back to our office in a few weeks for a permanent crown.
You may experience some discomfort and soreness for a few days after your procedure. However, this will usually go away quite quickly. If your pain does not go away after a few days or gets worse, schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. O’Grady at OG Dental.
Dr. O’Grady and the team at OG Dental focus on prevention and education to help our patients live with happy, healthy smiles. The best way to prevent dental health issues is to maintain a positive oral care routine at home that includes brushing and flossing twice a day. It’s also important to come in every six months for routine dental appointments. If you’d like to maintain your smile and prevent infection or decay, call us today to learn more!
