Root Canal Therapy – Canton, MI
Gentle & Effective Pain Relief
Many patients are fearful or anxious when it comes to dental appointments, but there is one dentistry service that can intimidate even the bravest patients – root canals. Root canal therapy is actually not the cause of the pain many patients associate with this treatment. Instead, a root canal can actually relieve a toothache and dental sensitivity and enable your dentist to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. At Robison Dental Group in Canton, we offer comfortable, effective root canal therapy to relieve pain and renew your smile. Call our team to find out more or schedule an appointment. We typically see patients who need root canal therapy on an emergency basis, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you experience any of the common warning signs of root canal infection.
Why Choose Robison Dental Group for Root Canal Therapy?
- Patient comfort is priority #1
- Able to relieve severe dental pain & save teeth from extraction
- Sedation dentistry available
When is Root Canal Needed?
“Root canal” is actually a bit of a misnomer. The root canal is the inner layer of the tooth’s root system through which the nerve tissue runs and attaches the tooth to gum tissue and the jawbone. Root canal therapy is needed when dental damage or decay reaches the inner layer of the tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue in the center of teeth that houses the tooth’s nerve. When the nerve is touched by dental damage, the result is the painful toothache and dental sensitivity that most patients associate with root canal therapy. In order to protect the tooth from extraction, the nerve and pulp tissue need to be removed.
How Will I Know I Need a Root Canal?
The only way to know for sure that you need a root canal is to visit our team for an examination. We will assess your situation, and if you need a root canal, we can begin treatment right away. The majority of root canal cases are seen on an emergency basis, so please call our office right away if you notice any of the following warning signs of root canal infection:
- Severe toothache that may be a constant throb or sharp pain when biting down
- Dental sensitivity when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures
- Infection or inflammation in the gums surrounding the tooth
- Dark discoloration of the tooth typically near the gum line
What Should I Expect During Root Canal Therapy?
Your root canal procedure will be quick and comfortable. We begin by numbing the area around the tooth to be treated. We drill a small access hole from the top of the tooth to interior pulp layer. Then, the damaged pulp and nerve tissue are removed. In some cases, we will need to use oral or topical antibiotics to remove infection before completing treatment. Next, we refill the tooth with a biocompatible material and seal the access hole we created. In most cases, we will also place a dental crown to protect the root canal treated tooth.
Contact Us Today
Robison Dental Group in Canton, Michigan serves patients from Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth, providing the area with general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care
Root Canal FAQ’s
There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding root canal therapy. As a result, you may have questions about this treatment and what the experience will be like. We want to make sure you’re as well-informed as possible, so here are some frequently asked questions from patients about getting a root canal in Canton.
Is a Root Canal Painful?
While root canal therapy is often said to be very painful, the truth is that with the use of anesthesia, the procedure itself involves no more pain than you would experience during a filling. It’s the infection itself that inflames the nerve-filled tissue and causes discomfort; in this sense, root canal therapy is actually a form of pain relief. It is true, however, that the area around the tooth will be sensitive for a few days after treatment.
Will I Need a Root Canal Even if My Tooth Isn’t Bothering Me?
Sometimes tooth pain goes away on its own, but this doesn’t mean the infection is cured. In fact, sometimes infected teeth won’t cause any pain at all (in which case they’ll usually be discovered during a routine examination). One explanation could be that the body has accommodated the infection enough that it doesn’t exceed your personal pain threshold. We’ll use the advanced technology at our practice to accurately diagnose your situation and decide if root canal therapy is truly necessary.
How Long Will the Procedure Take?
The exact amount of treatment time depends on your individual procedure and which tooth is being worked on. In many cases, root canal therapy can be completed over the course of a single visit and normally only takes about 1 to 2 hours. That said, there are times where you’ll need a follow-up appointment to have your crown or other restoration placed.
What Happens After the Procedure?
You can use over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen to deal with the discomfort once the anesthesia wears off. The dentist in Canton will tell you to avoid chewing with the treated tooth until the filling and crown can be placed. Unless you receive different instructions, continue to brush and floss normally. Note that while tenderness is normal, visible swelling could be the sign of an infection or an allergic reaction, so call us right away if this happens.
Will I Always Need a Crown?
A crown will be placed in most cases to help the tooth return to full strength. This is especially true for the posterior teeth (as in the molars and premolars). In some cases, root canal therapy may be performed on a tooth that already has a crown; in these cases, the original crown can sometimes be saved and restored with tooth-colored filling after treatment is complete.