Contact Today’s Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment in Vancouver, WA
At Today’s Dentistry, Dr. Darius Arlauskas and Dr. Sarah Barber offer a variety of treatment options for the preservation of your teeth, and one of the most common of these dental procedures is root canal therapy.
The term “root canal” can be frightening, but there is really nothing to fear or dread about the procedure used to preserve and protect your teeth. Across the country, millions of teeth are saved each year through this perfectly safe procedure, and at Today’s Dentistry all procedures such as a root canal are performed with our patients’ comfort foremost in our minds.
Root Canal Procedure Explained
Root canal therapy is performed to save a seriously damaged tooth or a tooth with either inflamed or infected pulp caused by tooth decay. If conditions like these are not addressed and corrected promptly, the problem can become increasingly severe, potentially requiring extraction of the tooth.
The procedure is called a root canal because for the restoration of the tooth the dentist uses a series of small drills to remove the diseased pulp and nerves found in the root of the tooth.
Actually, a root canal is very similar to getting a filling in a decayed tooth. The major difference is that for a root canal the dentist must drill farther down to reach the root of the tooth to remove the injured or infected pulp. Once that is done, the treated area is cleaned and the tooth is filled and sealed with a material that prevents additional infection.
At the end of the procedure the dentist will prepare the treated tooth for a crown that will be placed over the tooth during a follow up appointment. Once the crown is in place, you will again have a normally functioning tooth.
Commonly Asked Questions About Root Canals
The following are answers to some of the questions most frequently asked about root canals.
What Are the Main Symptoms That Indicate a Need for a Root Canal?
The most common symptoms include:
- Severe pain while chewing or biting
- Pimples on the gums
- A chip or crack in your natural tooth
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold substances
- Swollen or tender gums
- Deep decay or darkening of the gums
Is a Root Canal Painful?
At Today’s Dentistry, we offer our patients a variety of sedation options, and the procedure should be pain free.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Normally, a root canal can be completed in about an hour to an hour and a half.
How Long Does a Root Canal Last?
Root canals have a success rate of about 95 percent, and if you practice good oral hygiene – including daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups – your root canal should last a lifetime.
Root Canal Therapy in Vancouver, WA at Today’s Dentistry
If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms we’ve described, or some combination of symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule your initial consultation.
We accept most major dental insurance policies, and as a courtesy to our patients, we will be glad to file your claim for you. We will also work with you to secure financing, if needed.
Please don’t suffer and avoid necessary treatment. For the very best in root canal therapy in Vancouver, contact Today’s Dentistry today.