Root Canal Treatment – Viera, FL
Comfortable Cure for Your Toothache
Many people start shaking in their boots at the idea of getting a root canal, but it’s actually a very smooth and comfortable procedure that can save you from a lot of pain. If you’ve had a raging toothache for a while now that has kept you from just living your daily life, you might need a root canal near Viera. Fortunately, Dr. Chenet has more than 25 years of experience performing root canals, and he can give you a comfortable cure for your toothache. Contact us today to receive treatment that could finally put a stop to your tooth pain.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal involves removing the infected or damaged inside portion of the tooth, known as the dental pulp. First, your dentist near Viera will use local anesthetic to make sure you don’t feel a thing during the procedure. Next, they will use small instruments to remove the infected pulp and clean out the canals of the tooth. Then, they will place a rubber-like gutta percha substance in the canals to seal up the tooth and prevent re-infection. Lastly, a dental crown may be placed on the treated tooth to make sure it’s capable of withstanding normal biting pressures. After being treated with root canal therapy, the tooth can potentially last a lifetime.
Why Might You Need a Root Canal?
Injuries, cracks, and cavities left untreated can cause bacteria to penetrate the inner layers of the tooth and create an infection. Bacteria kill the pulp, and the canals of the tooth fill with diseased tissue. The infection can result in serious pain that makes it hard for you to go on with everyday life. In the past, the tooth would have had to be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic. Now, we have modern tools and techniques that allow us to repair the tooth, so it can serve you for the rest of your life.
The Dangers of Avoiding a Root Canal
General medical problems, like the common cold, usually heal with time. Dental issues, on the other hand, typically worsen if you ignore them. This is especially true with cavities. A cavity is caused by bacteria eating away at the tooth enamel. If you don’t get that cavity filled, the bacteria continue to erode at the tooth until they reach the sensitive pulp, where nerves and blood vessels are located. If you don’t get the infection treated at that point, it could spread to other teeth and even your jawbone, where it could do some serious damage. By seeking root canal treatment for your toothache, you could save yourself a whole lot of trouble down the road.
Root Canal Therapy FAQs
Have you been told that you’re in need of a root canal? You may still have some unanswered questions about the procedure, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about root canal therapy in Melbourne. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be happy to walk you through the process so you know what to expect.
How Much Pain Is Normal After a Root Canal?
The root canal procedure itself shouldn’t hurt, but some discomfort for the next few days is to be expected. After the numbness wears off, you’ll likely experience some sensitivity, but this is only temporary. Generally, over the counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, are enough to handle it. You should avoid chewing on foods that are particularly hard during the recovery period. If discomfort doesn’t subside after three days, give us a call.
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?
In addition to eating a healthy meal and avoiding alcohol before your root canal, you should stay away from tobacco. It can interfere with the numbing medication. Most dentist will recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before the procedure to reduce the discomfort as the bumbles wears off. Get a good night’s sleep the night before your procedure. This will help to calm your nerves and ensure that your immune system isn’t impaired and will help you recover more quickly.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
Root canals can usually be completed in a single appointment. The length of a root canal can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes or more depending on the location of the tooth withing the mouth. Molars have more root canals that need to be disinfected than front teeth. Generally, the further back in the mouth the root canal takes place, the longer it will take.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Antibiotics are able to treat bacterial infections in almost every other part of the body, but they don’t work on tooth infections. This is because antibiotics travel through the bloodstream to target infected areas of the body, but the bloodstream cannot reach the pulp of a tooth. Therefore, they cannot eliminate infections in this area. If a tooth’s pulp is infected, the only option to treat it, besides extracting the tooth, is root canal therapy.