Root Canal Specialist

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure that removes your tooth’s pulp to salvage a damaged or infected tooth. 

The pulp is the soft inner portion of your tooth. It’s made up of connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerve fibers. Damaged or infected pulp swells and pinches the nerves, often causing a lot of pain. 

It's common for people to mistakenly associate the pain from infected or damaged pulp with the root canal procedure. In reality, root canals aim to alleviate your pain.

In the past, the only way to treat a damaged or infected tooth was to extract it. Fortunately, by removing your infected or damaged pulp, a root canal enables you to save more of your natural tooth structure, which is greatly beneficial to your overall oral health.

Do I need a root canal?

You most likely need a root canal if your tooth’s pulp is damaged or infected. Some of the signs of damaged or infected tooth pulp include:

• Discolored or darkened tooth

• Immense pain in your tooth

• A persistent bad taste in your mouth

• Swollen or tender gums

• Pus or a pimple-like pocket around your gumline 

An infected or damaged tooth only gets worse if left untreated. Delaying your root canal can ultimately lead to:

• Tooth loss

• Sepsis

• Infection of nearby teeth and jawbone

• Abscess

Getting treatment with a root canal can save your tooth, your surrounding teeth, and your overall oral health.

What is an abscess?

An abscess is a fluid-filled pocket containing pus and bacteria that forms around your tooth as a result of an infection. Left untreated, oral abscesses can lead to a variety of more serious problems including swelling that may spread into your face and neck, bone loss around your teeth, and drainage problems. If you experience a toothache or sensitivity when you chew or bite down, it’s important to contact Dr. Yakobashvili, Dr. Datikashvili, and the team at Glad Dental P.C. right away.

Am I a candidate for a root canal?

If you have healthy teeth and gums and you’re physically fit enough to undergo a routine dental procedure like an extraction or filling, you’re probably a good candidate for a root canal. However, before treatment, it’s important to share your medical history with your dentist, including any medications or supplements that you take, and whether or not you’re living with a chronic disease like high blood pressure or diabetes. 

Having a compromised immune system doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t benefit from a root canal, but it may increase your risk of complications. Following a thorough exam and discussion of your symptoms, your dentist can develop a treatment plan that aligns with your needs.

What is involved with getting a root canal?

Your dentist first numbs your tooth and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic and protects your mouth and teeth with a rubber dental dam. Then, the team drills a small access hole in the top of your tooth and uses a series of tiny endodontic files to scrape out your tooth’s decayed pulp.

After removing the damaged pulp, your dentist cleans and sterilizes the inside of your tooth. In some cases, they will insert a small metal or plastic rod to reinforce the structure of your tooth’s interior.  

Next, they seal up your tooth’s interior with a rubbery compound called gutta-percha, and fill the access hole in the top of your tooth with a filling material. Finally, your tooth is fitted with a crown to restore its strength and structure.

Following a root canal, what is the recovery process like?

After your dentist completes your root canal, they write you a prescription for antibiotics and send you home with a list of recovery instructions. In the first 24-48 hours after your root canal procedure, it’s normal to experience some mild pain, swelling, and general discomfort. 

Take your antibiotics as prescribed to avoid an infection, and if your pain persists, don’t hesitate to take an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. If your symptoms get worse or the pain persists, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Yakobashvili, Dr. Datikashvili, and the team.

You should also continue to practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss regularly and visit Glad Dental P.C. every six months for a professional exam and cleaning.

Are root canals typically successful?

Yes. Root canal treatment has a proven track record of success. In fact, clinical studies show that root canals boast a 95% success rate. If you follow the proper recovery instructions and continue taking good care of your affected tooth, it can last a lifetime without the need for further treatment or an extraction. 

Don’t wait any longer to treat your infected or damaged tooth. Schedule your root canal consultation with Dr. Yakobashvili, Dr. Datikashvili, and the team at Glad Dental P.C. today by calling the office or booking your visit online.

What is root canal treatment?

The root of the tooth, called the “canal,” is made up of a tiny group of passageways which branch off just beneath the top of the tooth and move down into the canal, reaching the root tip. When the root is exposed to bacteria due to decay, an infection can spread to the inner chamber of the tooth called the “pulp.” This pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and other sensitive tissues. If a tooth infection becomes severe, it can distress the roots. Root canal treatment is usually done to remove the diseased tissues, and stop any spread of infection into healthy parts of the tooth.

Why are root canals necessary?

Root canals are designed to save a problem tooth before it needs to be extracted. This treatment may become necessary when a large amount of damage or decay is present on the tooth or previous treatments no longer sustain the health of the tooth. Patients in need of a root canal are usually already feeling a large amount of pain or discomfort. They undergo a root canal treatment to bring pain relief and to halt any ongoing damage to the tooth.

Do root canals hurt?

Usually, the term “root canal” makes patients think of an uncomfortable, painful, procedure. This is a general misconception. Over the years dental techniques and procedures have advanced to be effective, safe, and practically pain-free. Combined with Dr. Yakobashvili’s skill and knowledge, a root canal is not much more complicated than a routine cavity filling. The procedure itself can take anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. This will depend on the condition of the tooth, along with any complications that might be involved. After the root canal, the patient is allowed to go home but rest is recommended.