Many people dread hearing they need a root canal. However, the pain associated with a root canal is typically one of the symptoms of the infection, not a result of treatment. In fact, most people who have root canal therapy begin to feel better shortly after their treatment is complete.
At Alliance Dental, we take your health and comfort seriously. Dr. Spaska Malaric is extremely gentle and conscientious when it comes to treating our patients. She spends the time necessary to make sure that your tooth is completely numb and that you feel comfortable and understand your procedure before she begins.
People often hear the term "root canal" but do not always understand why it is necessary. If your tooth becomes infected or traumatized near the nerve, a root canal can eliminate the infection and your symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms that may indicate a root canal is necessary include:
For most of our patients, the first noticeable symptom is pain. Often accompanied by pressure and sensitivity, it can come on slowly or quickly, depending on the severity of your condition. Anytime you have tooth pain, it is a good idea to have it checked out because pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong.
When you arrive at our office, we will take an X-ray of the area to determine the cause of your pain. We can often diagnose an infection with just an X-ray because it will be visible. If we cannot make a diagnosis using an X-ray, we will perform additional testing.
Once we determine that you need a root canal, we will make sure you are completely numb for the procedure. It should not feel any different than having a filling. Dr. Malaric will clean out the infection in your tooth, along with any other damaged tissue. She will make sure all signs of bacteria are gone and then fill your tooth with medication. The final step is sealing your tooth to keep out food particles and bacteria while it heals.
After your procedure, you will begin to feel improvement each day as your body starts its natural healing process. It is normal to have some sensitivity while your tooth heals, but you will notice that you feel better and better each day.
Once your tooth is completely healed, we will need to place a restoration to protect it. Protecting the root canal treated tooth with a crown will prevent it from fracturing in the future. This is necessary because your natural tooth will be more brittle after root canal therapy. Having a root canal means that you can extend the life of your tooth. It is preferable to an extraction because your tooth and bone have a dependent relationship. Keeping your natural tooth can help prevent bone loss and teeth drifting that may occur after an extraction.
If you have tooth pain of any kind, please contact our Fort Myers dental office today at (239) 939-2433. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality dental care you need to have a healthy, comfortable smile.
