Relieving Pain and Preserving Your Natural Smile with Root Canal Therapy
Are you worried about an upcoming root canal treatment? Although this procedure has had a reputation for being painful, it actually relieves your discomfort and helps preserve your natural teeth, maintaining the health and function of your smile. Dr. Battise-Flores and her patient-centered team at Traditions Dental are dedicated to ensuring your comfort at every step and providing a patient experience that exceeds your expectations.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal Treatment?
While your teeth are incredibly strong, the soft tissue inside them, known as the pulp, can become inflamed or infected as a result of deep decay, traumatic injury, damaged dental restorations, or repeated dental procedures. A root canal is a procedure designed to remove the damaged pulp, clean the internal canals, and seal the tooth, helping save it and preventing the need for extraction. The endodontic treatment eliminates the infection at its source, relieving your discomfort and preserving your natural smile.
What Are Signs You May Need a Root Canal Treatment?
Warning signs of tooth pulp inflammation or infection requiring a root canal treatment include the following:
- Lingering, throbbing tooth pain that can wake you up at night
- Pain that can radiate to the jaw, ear, or even cause a headache
- Noticeable tooth darkening or discoloration
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Swelling of the gums around the tooth
- A pimple-like bump on your gums
- Persistent bad taste in the mouth or unpleasant breath
It is important to note that sometimes tooth pulp damage produces no symptoms. Many tooth root concerns are discovered during routine dental exams before symptoms ever start, making preventive care your smile’s best line of defense.
What Happens During Treatment?
At Traditions Dental, we use the latest CBCT 3D imaging technology to plan your treatment, helping ensure its success. Dr. Battise-Flores will numb the area and administer nitrous oxide sedation if needed for your comfort. The procedure involves removing the diseased pulp tissues and cleaning and sealing the space.
After your root canal treatment, we typically place a custom dental crown to protect the tooth and prevent further damage or breakage. With meticulous oral hygiene practices and regular visits to Traditions Dental for dental exams and cleanings, the treated tooth has the potential to last many years, or even a lifetime.
What Are the Risks of Delaying a Needed Root Canal Treatment?
Without treatment, tooth pulp damage can result in complications, including worsening infection, severe pain, facial swelling, an abscessed tooth, bone loss around the tooth’s roots, and even tooth loss. The infection can also affect your surrounding teeth and jawbone and may enter the bloodstream, putting your health at risk.
The only alternative to a root canal treatment is to have the affected tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture. Root canal treatment relieves the discomfort caused by inflamed or infected pulp and helps save the affected tooth, which is the best option for your smile.
Root Canal Therapy Near Me in College Station, TX
If you would like to learn more about relieving your pain and preserving a damaged tooth with root canal therapy, contact Traditions Dental to schedule a consultation. Dr. Battise-Flores and her patient-centered team never spare any effort to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. We strive to enhance your smile and your overall well-being. We invite you to call 979-608-0242 or visit us online to request an appointment today.