Root Canal

What is a root canal?

If you have an infected or damaged tooth, a root canal can restore your oral health without having to extract your tooth. Dr. Parhizkar carefully removes all of the decayed tissue from the inside of your tooth and fills the empty space with a rubber-like compound called gutta-percha.

What are the signs of an infected tooth?

An infected tooth can present several symptoms, each of which can range widely in severity. Some of the more common indications that you might have an infected tooth include:

• Severe toothache
• Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet substances
• Darkened or discolored tooth
• Swelling or tenderness in your gums near the tooth
• Small pimple on your gums near the tooth root

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a visit at Advanced Family Dentistry. An infected or damaged tooth only gets worse with time. The sooner you treat it, the better.

Do I have to treat my infected tooth?

If your tooth is infected or damaged, the only way to restore your oral health is to treat it. A severe infection won’t go away on its own, and putting off treatment can lead to other health concerns.

For example, the infection could spread to nearby teeth, gums, or jawbone or even make its way to your bloodstream, causing sepsis.

What happens during the procedure?

Dr. Parhizkar makes a small hole in the top of your tooth, then uses a series of tools called endodontic files to remove the diseased or decayed tissue. After they’ve successfully cleared all of the damaged tissue from within your tooth, the inside of your tooth is cleaned and disinfected.

Next, your tooth is filled with gutta-percha, a rubber-like compound that seals the inside of your tooth to help it retain its structure and prevent further infection. Dr. Parhizkar finishes your treatment by filling the hole at the top of your tooth and fitting you with a crown to give your tooth extra strength and support.

Is a root canal painful?

Root canals have a bad reputation in movies and television shows, which typically make them out to be particularly painful and laborious. In actuality, root canals are straightforward procedures that produce minimal discomfort.

Dr. Parhizkar keeps you anesthetized throughout your procedure so you won’t feel any pain during your treatment. A root canal actually alleviates your pain because it treats your otherwise painful tooth infection.

To schedule your root canal at Advanced Family Dentistry, call the office or book a visit online today.