Root canals are very commonly done in dentistry today to save a tooth for a patient. Dr. Kristen Stevens at Center Grove Family Dentistry is highly experienced in root canals in Greenwood, IN.
Why Are Root Canals Performed?
The soft inner section of a tooth is called the pulp. It contains nerves and blood vessels needed for a tooth to grow. When you have an infection in the pulp, it can be very painful and leave you with swollen gums as well. Most patients notice that the tooth is very sensitive to hot and cold liquids.
A tooth may also be injured or cracked or an older tooth filling may have fallen out, leading to the need for a root canal. After multiple procedures on a tooth or deep decay in a tooth can also lead to the need for a root canal.
What is the Root Canal Process?
Root canals in Greenwood, IN. are performed in a dental office. Your dentist will apply a numbing agent on your gums near the affected tooth and then will give you an injection of a local anesthetic so you won't feel any pain.
Your dentist will make an opening in the top of the tooth to expose the damage to your pulp and then he removes all the pulp and cleans the canals or pathways in your tooth.
You may receive some topical antibiotics to prevent reinfection of the tooth and then the tooth is sealed with a product to protect your tooth. You will likely be prescribed some oral antibiotics to prevent infection as well. You will also have a temporary filling in the tooth as it heals.
On your second visit, you will receive a permanent filling in the affected tooth after taking x-rays to see if all the infection is gone. Instead, you may ask your dentist for a crown on the tooth.
What is the Recovery Time After a Root Canal?
Your tooth may be a bit sore, but you can resume your normal daily activities the day after your root canal. It will be a bit sore to chew on the tooth at first and may feel differently at first, which can take a few weeks to get over this sensation.
Trust The Gentle Professionals With Your Teeth
Dr. Stevens and her staff at Center Grove Family Dentistry are highly experienced in root canals in Greenwood, IN. without any pain to the patient. Contact us at (317) 548-2627 to schedule an appointment for all of your dental needs today.