Root Canal | Austin Cosmetic Dentistry By Tejas Patel DDS

ROOT CANAL

AUSTIN RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Root canal therapy or a root canal procedure can relieve the pain caused by diseased or injured pulp tissue in the center of the tooth. Many times, this tissue cannot repair itself and root canal therapy is required to save the tooth.

DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. However, in some cases, the patient may feel no pain at all.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH A ROOT CANAL?

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow our post-root canal care instructions carefully. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. If you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call our office.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A ROOT CANAL?

Upon completion of treatment, we will place a temporary filling your tooth. Later, our cosmetic dentists will return to have the tooth restored (crown, filling). We ask that you wait no longer than six weeks to return for the permanent restoration of your tooth. You should not bite or chew on the treated tooth until it has been restored. Otherwise, just practice good oral hygiene brushing, flossing and regular checks-ups and cleanings. Endodontically treated teeth can last for many years, even a lifetime.

ENDODONTIC RETREATMENT

In most cases, a tooth that has already had a root canal does not require additional endodontic treatment. In some cases, however, a tooth that has already had a root canal can develop an infection. This can happen months or years after your original treatment. In some cases, the infection can be eliminated with endodontic retreatment. Endodontic retreatment is removal of the existing root canal filling material, cleaning, shaping and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and placing new root canal filling material (gutta percha). Following endodontic retreatment, you will need to return to your general dentist for either a filling or a crown.

Improper healing may be caused by:

Curved or narrow canals were not treated during the initial treatment.
Complicated canals went undetected during the initial treatment.
The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure.
The crown or restoration did not prevent saliva from contaminating the inside of the tooth.

In some cases, new problems can influence a tooth that was successfully treated:

New decay can expose a root canal filling material, causing infection.
A cracked or loose filling or crown can expose the tooth to new infection.

There are several ways to treat a tooth that has already had a root canal that develops an infection. Because of this, if your tooth has already had root canal treatment and it develops an infection, you will need to have a consultation appointment prior to treatment.

To schedule a consultation and checkup, use this form or call our office today.

GET IN TOUCH

Root canal therapy is needed when an injury or large cavity damages your tooth’s pulp or nerve. A patient may experience severe toothaches prior to being evaluated for a root canal. Often times this pain, can also manifest itself as a sensitivity to heat or cold or progress to a generalized headache.

If the tooth dies prior to be evaluated, an abscess can form. Therefore it is extremely important to get a proper evaluation for diagnosis.