What Is a Surgical Root Canal?

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Has your dentist in Thornton, CO told you that you need a surgical root canal? If so, you might be wondering what is a surgical root canal and how it’s different from a traditional root canal? Don’t worry, we are going to go over both types of root canals with you, so you understand what is involved and what to expect.

Let’s get started.

What Is a Surgical Root Canal?

When a dentist says the word surgery, that usually instills fear in most people. However, root canal surgery is a fairly simple procedure and something most dentists and oral surgeons do on a regular basis.

With that being said, it’s still surgery, so it does require the use of anesthesia. Using anesthesia will minimize the amount of pain you experience.

A surgical root canal is performed on patients who have infected tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is a crucial part of any tooth, and it consists of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

How Is Root Canal Surgery Performed?

If you need a surgical root canal in Thornton, CO, your dentist will do the following:

  • Oral exam
  • Dental X-Rays
  • Numbing and local anesthesia
  • Remove infected tooth pulp
  • Fill the tooth
  • Finish tooth restoration

These steps will require two or so dental visits and the surgery itself can usually be completed within about three hours. After the procedure is finished, you will be able to go home the same day.

What Is a Non-Surgical Root Canal?

Non-surgical root canals or conventional root canals are more common than surgical root canals. The process is similar to having a filling done except it’s a much deeper, more detailed procedure. This is because the drilling goes much deeper down into the root of your tooth. Here is the process for a non-surgical root canal.

  • Local anesthetic
  • Drill down to the root canal
  • Remove the diseased tooth pulp
  • Clean canal with sodium hypochlorite
  • Fill tooth

Sometimes the dentist might need to reconstruct your tooth by placing a metal post in the tooth canal. Then a temporary crown is installed over your tooth and later removed and replaced with a permanent crown.

What’s Next?

If you want more information about surgical root canals, or if you have questions about other dental issues, please Contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist today. Let us show you how to say goodbye to tooth pain so you can get back to enjoying your life again!

Why Is a Root Canal Better Than an Extraction? 

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Both a root canal and a tooth extraction can relieve the pain of a toothache. However, it’s always best to save the natural tooth when possible. Before yourendodontist in Thornton, CO, extracts a tooth, they must have a plan to replace it. Otherwise, bone loss may occur. For this reason, it’s always preferable to save an existing tooth. A root canal is often the solution.

What Is a Root Canal?

When your dental professional performs a root canal, they make an opening in the crown and treat any infection that has formed inside the pulp. Afterward, they remove the pulp and seal off the canal, so reinfection can’t occur. Finally, they pack the crown with a temporary plug that keeps the treated tooth secure until you can return for your filling. This not only saves your natural tooth, but it can relieve your toothache, too.

Before performing your root canal, your endodontist will numb your tooth, so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. And your root canal is usually performed right in the office, so you’re free to leave afterward. You may experience tenderness or mild discomfort after your root canal, so talk with your dentist about the best form of pain relief for you.

Why Is a Root Canal the Better Choice?

Your dentist will always try to save your natural tooth when possible because it’s usually easier to repair a tooth than to replace it. Once the tooth has been extracted, something else must go in its place to prevent bone loss. Usually, this is a dental implant, a partial denture, or a fixed bridge. Each is a second procedure that must be performed during follow-up visits. And some procedures, such as implants and dentures, require more than one visit to your dental professional. For these reasons, it’s always preferable to treat the afflicted tooth than remove it.

Call Colorado Root Canal Specialist Today

If you think a root canal may be the answer to yourtoothache in Thornton, CO, call Colorado Root Canal Specialists today. Our friendly and professional clinicians are always willing to do what’s necessary to save your tooth and relieve your pain. Call today to schedule a consultation.

Anatomy of a Toothache

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The pain associated with a toothache is usually intense. This is why most patients are desperate for relief when a toothache strikes — even to the point of asking for extraction to relieve the pain. Luckily, if your root canal dentist in Thornton, CO, sees you in time, they may be able to ease your discomfort without sacrificing the tooth that’s causing it. Many factors work together to cause a tooth to decay. If you better understand how a toothache occurs, you may better understand how a root canal resolves the issue.

Anatomy of a Toothache

Your teeth have more parts than most people realize, much more than just a root and a crown, including:

  • Periodontal Ligament — connects the tooth to the tooth socket
  • Cementum — protective, bone-like layer that covers the root
  • Blood Vessels and Nerves — run through the pulp cavity and the root canal
  • Root Canal — runs from the pulp chamber down through the root and into the jawbone
  • Enamel — covers the crown of the tooth
  • Dentin — hard tissue beneath the enamel
  • Pulp Chamber — located inside the crown of the tooth

When you have a cavity that’s left untreated, the decay eats through the enamel and the dentin into the pulp. This is when it may become painful, because the pulp chamber is filled with nerves. Infection may continue down the root canal and cause infection, or abscess, in the gums. The result is a toothache of epic proportions that may send you in a panic to your local dentist.

How Root Canal Therapy Can Help

Root canal therapy requires making an opening in your infected tooth, exposing the pulp and the root canal. These areas are then cleaned and flushed of infection. Your dentist then refills the root canal and the pulp with a permanent material that replaces the nerves and blood vessels. They then fill the opening and cap the tooth. Sometimes, they place a support within the root canal to help support the root. As a result, the tooth is saved, and your pain is alleviated. This makes treatment by root canal a great solution for the pain of an infected tooth.

For more information on root canal therapy in Thornton, CO, call Colorado Root Canal Specialist to schedule a consultation.

What Should You Do About That Toothache?

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Toothaches can be a real problem because they’re painful, and also because they’re an indication of a serious problem. In fact, tooth aches are dental emergencies! Knowing what to do about a toothache is important. Getting emergency dental care in Thornton, CO can help you avoid a lost tooth. If you’re experiencing a toothache, here’s how you can take care of your problem and take care of yourself.

Take an Anti-Inflammatory

Sometimes, taking an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen can help with dental pain. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t take more than the recommended dosage.

Some over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen, aren’t considered anti-inflammatories and will not help as much. Make sure the medicine you’re taking is the correct medicine for your needs.

Swish With Saltwater

Salt water is a natural disinfectant and can help with a minor toothache. Put 1/2 of a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm (but not hot) water, and mix until the salt has dissolved. Put the salt water in your mouth and swish like it’s a mouth wash. The salt water will kill bacteria and help dull the pain at the same time.

Get Advice From Your Dentist

Toothaches can be a dental emergency, so if you’re experiencing a toothache, it’s important to get advice from your dental professional in Thornton CO. Call your dentist as soon as the toothache begins to describe the problem and the severity. Your dentist can tell you whether you need to come in for an appointment, and can also give recommendations to help dull the pain.

Schedule a Dental Appointment As Soon As Possible

Don’t let a toothache ruin your day. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, contact a dental professional as soon as possible to find out the potential cause and what can be done about it. At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, we can provide advice and help you decide whether you need a root canal or some other form of tooth repair or treatment. Call today to make an appointment and take care of your oral hygiene!

Important Facts to Know About Root Cavities in Teeth

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Most patients assume that when they get a cavity in one of their teeth, they will be able to clearly see that cavity to know that something is wrong. However, many patients who need a root canal in Thornton, CO are surprised to learn they have a cavity far under the gum line.

Root cavities are most common for older adults.

In order for a root cavity to develop, bacteria must gain access to the root of the tooth by bypassing the gingival tissue. Therefore, people who have healthy, complete gum tissue are not likely to have a problem. Older adults that are dealing with a lower gum margin or diseased gum tissue have teeth roots that are far more vulnerable to decay.

Root cavities can be especially painful.

Root cavities may not be directly exposed to the foods you eat or fluids you drink, so the general sensitivity that comes with a cavity may not be present. Nevertheless, these cavities can be especially painful. Most patients will feel pain when they bite down, chew, or do anything that puts pressure on the root of the tooth. You may also notice sharp pain that seems to come from within the tooth or gum soreness around the tooth.

Root canal therapy may or may not be needed.

Root canal therapy is a procedure done to replace diseased pulp within the canals of a tooth. Root cavities do not always reach into the pulp of the tooth. Even though the cavity is on the root, the cavity can be a surface-level problem that calls for a general surface-level filling. One thing to remember about root cavities is they can spread much faster than a standard cavity. The roots of your teeth are not coated with protective enamel like the exposed surfaces, which allows for decay to spread quickly. Therefore, the need for a root canal is common by the time the cavity is discovered.

Need a Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO?

While root cavities can be concerning, intervention with the right treatment can still potentially see the ailing tooth so it doesn’t have to be extracted. If you need a root canal in Thornton, CO, reach out to us at the Colorado Root Canal Specialist to schedule an appointment.

Root Canal FAQ

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If you’ve never had a root canal, you may have questions about what the experience is like. If you need a root canal in Thornton CO, knowing what to expect can make the experience overall less scary. In particular, many people who need a root canal want to know whether the experience is painful. The more you know going into the procedure, the better off you are.

Are root canals painful?

Root canals are usually not very painful because the dentist uses local anesthesia to numb the tooth and gums before the root canal takes place. In fact, most people say they experienced little or no pain during their root canal procedure. However, you may be experiencing a lot of pain before the root canal takes place. The faster you get the root canal, the better!

Is it uncomfortable when the procedure is over?

Most people state that if they did experience pain during the root canal, it’s over within about one day of the procedure. If you continue to experience discomfort after your root canal is over, you should talk to your dentist. Your dentist can determine whether something is going wrong.

Can you put off getting a root canal?

Root canals are only necessary when the inside of your tooth has become infected and begun to decay. If you need a root canal, putting it off can lead to further decay, a more severe infection and more pain.

If you put off your root canal, the tooth may become so damaged that it needs to be removed. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, it’s important to see your root canal specialist in Thornton CO as soon as possible to get your tooth examined.

Are you experiencing severe tooth pain? Need a root canal? Call Colorado Root Canal Specialist

At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, we help patients like you to take care of their teeth when they’re in need of treatment. We perform root canals to help you maintain healthy teeth now and into the future. Call today to make an appointment if you need a root canal.

What is a Root Canal?

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Every year 15 million Americans get a root canal, according to the American Association of Endodontists. Although root canals in Thornton are common, many Americans are confused about what they entail. If your dentist has told you that you need a root canal, it’s likely that you have several questions about this procedure. Here is what you need to know about roots canals.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental treatment that gets rid of the bacteria found in the tooth. The process involves removing the infected pulp within the tooth and then cleaning the tooth before filling it and sealing it. The root canal is designed to hopefully save the tooth and avoid replacing it completely. Root canals have been considered a routine dental treatment for many decades now. This is a straightforward procedure and typically can be completed in one or two sessions.

Is a Root Canal Painful?

Many patients want to know if a root canal in Thornton will hurt. Since a root canal is an invasive treatment, there is pain associated with it. However, the patient needn’t feel any pain during a root canal. Often, the anxiety leading up to the treatment is worse than the actual root canal. During a root canal procedure, the patient is given anesthesia so they won’t feel any pain. The area is also numbed with a local, topical analgesic. After treatment, the area may be sore and the patient likely won’t be able to eat solid food for one or two days. Your Thornton dentist will recommend over-the-counter painkillers to keep discomfort at bay. The patient will also have aftercare instructions that cover all aspects of recovers.

When is a Root Canal Necessary?

A root canal may be necessary when the patient has an inflamed or infected tooth. Since the goal is to save the natural tooth and maintain the natural appearance, normal bite pattern and keep proper chewing mechanisms then the dentist may need to perform a root canal on the damaged tooth. Most patients who come in for a root canal have been experiencing pain when they bite or chew, chipped teeth or a cracked tooth, hot and cold sensitivity, swollen or enlarged gums and decaying gums.

When you get a root canal in Thornton at our practice, you can be sure you will be made as comfortable as possible. For more information about root canals and your dental health, please contact us.

 

How to Treat Pain After a Root Canal

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Whether you’ve already had a root canal or you’re anticipating problems that might come after, pain is likely your top priority. The good news is that severe pain after a root canal is uncommon, thanks largely to serious advancements in dentistry. We’ll look at what’s normal and how you can treat it.

What’s Causing the Pain After a Root Canal?

Usually, it’s the residual sensitivity from the cleaning process that’s causing your pain. When a dentist clears out the pulp from the chamber of the tooth, they have to create an opening to access the interior. You may feel the effects of this for a few days after the treatment. If you’re planning to go in for another treatment (usually for a crown), know that the pain and sensitivity are often better the second time around.

How Can I Treat Pain After a Root Canal?

You should be able to control the pain with over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or Advil. You may have to try both to get a sense of which one works best for you. Just make sure that you’re taking them as indicated, and check with a doctor to ensure that this regimen won’t interfere with any prescriptions you may be taking for other medical conditions.

If you want to treat your pain naturally, try meditation or yoga as a way of relaxing the body and focusing the mind. During this time, you also should be taking care of your teeth, avoiding crunchy foods, and abstaining from smoking.

What’s Abnormal After a Root Canal?

Severe pain is abnormal, so if it’s lasting for more than a few days, you should contact your dentist and ask about what to do next. While it’s rare, it’s possible for complications to develop after a root canal. If the pain or swelling is getting worse, you may need another cleaning session to ensure that all pulp has been safely removed.

Root canals get a bad reputation, but the truth is that they’re regular procedures that can eliminate a far worse problem in a relatively short amount of time. While some degree of pain can be expected, it’s usually easily managed with a few simple solutions.

 

Signs that Indicate It May Be Time for a Root Canal

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A root canal (aka root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is a dental procedure performed when decay affects the soft core of a tooth.

What is a Root Canal?

This dental procedure is used to clean out the decay that has settled within the pulp and root of a tooth. Once decay reaches the soft core, the pulp may get infected or become inflamed. Sometimes, this decay can lead to the death of the affected tooth.

The Layers of a Tooth

To protect the tooth, the first layer consists of a hard coating called enamel, beneath this outermost layer is a bony tissue called dentin (which forms the bulk of the tooth) and within the dentin is a soft core that extends to the root located in the jawbone. This soft core houses the dental pulp. This pulp consists of blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves.

During a root canal, the decay is cleaned out of the tooth. Cleaning out the decay allows the infected tooth itself to be preserved.

Root Canal Procedure Steps

The procedure:

  1. Decay and bacteria are extracted from the pulp, root and nerve.
  2. The area is disinfected with antibiotics and filled.
  3. To prevent new decay, the area is sealed.
  4. Once the root canal is complete, the tooth is covered with a crown (i.e., a prosthetic tooth).

3 Signs that a Root Canal My Be in Your Near Future

  1. Pain in the Affected Tooth

Pain is a signal that there is a problem.

The pain can:

  • Range from mild to excruciating.
  • Come and go.
  • Last continuously for hours, or even days.
  • Only be present upon chewing.

If the issue causing the pain is disregarded, the pain usually changes in its quality or intensity. Many times, pain requiring a root canal causes mild discomfort that progresses to extreme pain and sensitivity. Left untreated, an infection or an abscess (i.e., a blister filled with pus that forms near the affected tooth) may develop.

The only way to know for sure whether a root canal is required is to seek dental treatment from an experienced dental professional.

  1. Tooth Discoloration

Although teeth can become stained, if you notice that only one of your teeth is darkening in color or turning a grayish-black, the internal tissue may be breaking down and damaging the tooth’s roots. To find out if the tooth requires a root canal, you should make an appointment with a seasoned dental professional like Dr. Robert McBride, DDS, at Colorado Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, Colorado.

  1. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

Sensitive teeth can occur for a variety of reasons, however, if this is a new symptom, it may signal that your inner tooth is infected. This sensitivity can be mild or severe.

What to Expect After a Root Canal

After a root canal, you might experience pain or a sense of soreness, however, over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen) can help with this discomfort.

Most patients require very little downtime (if any), returning to their daily routine directly after their procedure, nonetheless, until the permanent crown is placed, patients should avoid chewing on the temporary one.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, temperature sensitivity or you notice that your tooth is darkening, seeking treatment early offers the best prognosis. Contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert McBride, DDS. To schedule by phone, please call 1-303-920-9145 or use the online request form by clicking here.

Colorado Root Canal Specialist, 13762 Colorado Boulevard, #154 in Thornton, Colorado.

 

Recognizing a Dental Emergency with Your Root Canal

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Root canals are one of the most-performed dental procedures. While effective for rescuing a tooth that may otherwise be lost, occasionally, problems can arise after treatment. Here is a look at a few issues that can come up after your procedure that should be handled as an emergency.

You are experiencing severe pain.

It is relatively normal to have some pain after a root canal, but it should be more like mild discomfort that is easily handled with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you feel intense, severe pain once the anesthetic wears off when you get home, it is best to get in touch with the dentist to get their opinion on the situation.

You find the dental canal filling in your food.

If the root canal filling falls out, it is imperative that you get to the dentist as quickly as possible. You may not necessarily have pain, but you may feel sensitivity if the air hits your tooth or if you eat something cold or hot. You can use a temporary filling or some food-grade wax to cover the opening in your tooth. This can help deter sensitivity pain and keep food particles from getting inside the canal.

Your gums swell severely around the root canal site.

You can expect a small amount of inflammation around the tooth that just had a root canal placed. This general inflammation should subside after a few days as the irritated ligaments and tissue go back to normal. If beyond the first few days after your root canal, you are dealing with a major amount of swelling, it is best to get to the dentist. You may have issues with infection around the tooth that needs to be handled so it can properly heal after the procedure. Also, be attentive to anything that looks like pus or infection or small pimples around the tooth as these can also be signs of an infection.

Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal in Thornton, CO

When done by a professional with enough experience, a root canal will rarely ever cause you any issue and can essentially save your tooth from extraction. Reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist if you think you need a root canal or have issues with an existing root canal.