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Root Canal Treatment: A Tooth Saving Technique

Root Canal Treatment: A Tooth Saving Technique

If you have in the past or are currently suffering from nerve damage due to an infection or decay in the tooth, the best solution is always a root canal. Many with dental phobia make the argument that tooth extraction is faster, safer, and less painful. We’re here to discuss why root canals are the best option for those with infection and decay, and how this procedure can save your teeth.

Procedure Involved in Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment can be done in one or more visits to your dentist depending on the circumstances and symptoms of your infected tooth. A local anesthetic is applied to the affected area; then a rubber dam may be placed surrounding the area to keep the infection from spreading to a different tooth. A hole is then created in the tooth to access the root canal to retrieve the pulp of the tooth that contains nerve endings and blood vessels. The empty space is then thoroughly disinfected and the hole filled and sealed using a dental filling. A tooth that has had a root canal may also be restored with a crown if done in the back of the mouth.

Tips to Follow After Root Canal Treatment

Following a root canal treatment these tips will help with the pain and resting process to prevent further infection:

  • If you are suffering from a prolonged period of pain, be sure to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
  • Continue to follow proper hygiene habits and clean the tooth and gums as you normally should where your root canal occurred.
  • Be sure not to place too much pressure on either side of your mouth following a root canal.
  • Avoid any hard, chewy, or crunchy food after treatment.

If you still have any questions concerning root canals, contact us at Edinburg Family Dentistry. We’re eager to speak with you and would love to schedule an appointment for you or a family member. Give us a call or send us an email anytime!

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What we are doing to keep you and your family safe when you come to our office

We hope you and your family are in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While may things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff.

For example:

  • Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
  • We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
  • You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
  • Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you are offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
  • We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at one at a time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.