Eliminate Infection with Root Canal Treatment
A root canal infection is a serious dental problem that can result in significant pain and tooth loss if the problem is not addressed. Dr. Byron J. Nordhus offers root canal treatment at our Wichita practice. Root canal therapy can restore and save your tooth, while also eliminating your chronic tooth pain. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about root canal treatment. As a result, many patients feel apprehensive when they are advised to undergo root canal therapy. In this blog post, Dr. Nordhus dispels many of the myths about root canal therapy. He also discusses how restorative dentistry treatments can eliminate oral health problems and restore strength and structure to the affected tooth.
Will Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
Patient comfort is one of Dr. Nordhus’ main goals, so he is very gentle when performing any restorative treatment. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue. For patients who are particularly anxious or sensitive to pain, Dr. Nordhus also offers sedation dentistry, which may include oral sedation, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. The goal of root canal treatment is to provide patients with effective treatment during a pain-free procedure that will actually eliminate any pain that was caused by the infection.
How Is the Tooth Treated?
Root canal treatment can be broken down into four basic parts:
- First, the infected pulp is removed from the center of the tooth
- Second, the roots are cleaned and the inner tooth is sterilized
- Third, a rubber-like compound is used to fill in and seal off the tooth
- The fourth and final step of treatment is the application of a dental crown
Generally root canal treatment will require two dental appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth is cleaned and sealed. During the second appointment, the dental crown is placed.
What Is Recovery Like?
Patients do not need any downtime after root canal treatment. Many patients do experience a mild amount of discomfort or some increased sensitivity following root canal treatment. This often lasts for no more than a few days and can be managed with the use of over-the-counter pain medication.
Are there Alternate Treatments?
The only alternate treatment to root canal therapy is tooth extraction. Extraction is an invasive procedure that should be avoided whenever possible. Tooth loss can affect the health and structure of adjacent teeth and increases the risk of dental complications.
Can My Tooth Become Infected Again?
In rare cases, a patient may have a reoccurrence of a root canal infection. However, Dr. Nordhus takes every step necessary to ensure that this will not occur. In addition to cleaning and eliminating infected tooth material, the tooth is completely sealed off. The crown that is applied is an extra layer of protection that strengthens the tooth and helps to block out bacteria.
Contact Us
Root canal therapy is a safe and effective way to eliminate tooth infection and restore oral health. If you have questions about root canal treatment, contact us to learn more. Dr. Byron J. Nordhus will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.