If you have a tooth with issues like advanced decay or an ill-fitting crown that has damaged the pulp/nerve, your dentist might recommend that you have a root canal. In fact, root canals are one of the most common procedures performed each year. Having our professionals at Mai Dentistry perform this procedure can help you avoid an extraction and save your natural tooth.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Root canal procedures typically get completed within one or two visits:
- The dentist takes x-rays of your teeth to get a better idea of what’s happening.
- Next, the dentist administers a local anesthetic to numb the area.
- The dentist isolates the tooth requiring treatment and keeps the tooth clean and free of saliva during the procedure.
- The dentist creates access to the pulp. Then the dentist cleans the tooth canal with a small instrument and irrigating solutions
- After cleaning the canal, the dentist fills in the tooth with filling materials.
Patients often receive a temporary crown or filling while waiting for the completion of a customized crown. Once it’s ready, the dentist bonds the crown to the tooth for further protection.
Root Canal FAQs
Does the procedure hurt?
Thanks to advances in the dental instruments used by our team that give them more control over the procedure, root canals typically offer no more discomfort than your standard cavity filling. In addition, any aches or other issues patients experience after the procedure usually lasts for only a few days and can be controlled with pain medication.
How long do root canals last?
If your tooth structure has proper protection, the filling material used in a root canal can last for many years. However, occasionally a root canal may fail and may need retreatment.
Can a root canal fail?
Root canal failure is an extremely rare occurrence. The most common reason for the procedure not to succeed is if the dentist fails to clean the canal properly or a canal is missed. When that happens, bacteria gets trapped within that space, leading to failure. Root canals can also fail if the root structure is compromised or fractured. In that case, the tooth is not saveable and requires extraction.
Trusted Land O’ Lakes Dentist
Mai Dentistry works hard to give patients the best chance at an optimal outcome. Contact our Land O’Lakes dentist office today to schedule an appointment.
