Root Canals in Janesville

Why Would I Need A Root Canal? 

Root canals are needed to treat infected teeth. Tooth infections can develop in a few different ways. The most common cause of an infected tooth is an uncontrolled cavity. If you have a deep cavity, it may eat through the outer layers of enamel and dentin that protect your tooth. Then, when the pulp inside your tooth is exposed to oral bacteria, it will become infected.

The most common sign of an infected tooth is a painful, prolonged toothache that doesn’t go away after 1-2 days. You may also notice that your gum tissue is swollen or inflamed near the affected tooth, or that the tooth is more sensitive to heat, cold, and the pressure of chewing. 

Another reason you may need a root canal is to treat your tooth and repair it after a serious oral injury. If your tooth is broken or damaged due to oral trauma, such as a slip and fall or a hard hit in a contact sport, a root canal may be necessary to restore it.

This is because cracking or damaging your tooth could expose the inner pulp to oral bacteria. A root canal is used to remove any infected pulp, if present, and to make sure that the tooth does not become infected in the future.

If your tooth is cracked or damaged in any way, it’s very important to get help from Dr. Dreier at Dreier Family Dental right away. Even if you don’t need a root canal, you will need a dental crown to restore and protect your teeth, and prevent further complications.

The Root Canal Process

The process of root canal therapy usually takes 1-2 hours, and is only about as invasive as having a cavity filled. Dr. Brandon Dreier will begin by cleaning and numbing the treatment area, and then trimming away damaged and decayed tooth enamel using a dental drill.

Then, he will create an opening in the surface of the tooth. Through this opening, Dr. Dreier will use a variety of specialized dental tools to extract damaged and decayed tooth pulp. Once this material has been removed, Dr. Dreier will clean and sanitize the inside of the tooth, and use a material called “gutta-percha” to strengthen the inside of the tooth and replace the extracted pulp. 

Finally, the tooth will be protected with a filling or a temporary dental crown, depending on your case. If you get a temporary crown, you will need to come in for a follow-up to have a permanent crown fitted and placed.

Do Root Canals Hurt?

No. Despite what you may have learned from popular culture, root canal therapy is completely pain-free. We use the latest numbing techniques at Dreier Family Dental, and we offer sedation for all of our patients to ensure a pain-free experience. You won’t feel any pain or discomfort during your procedure. 

There is no significant pain or discomfort after treatment, either. You can get back to your normal routine immediately after treatment. Your tooth may feel a bit sore for a few days, but this will fade quickly.

Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is the best choice for restoring an infected tooth, and offers a wide variety of benefits, particularly if you get help right away when you notice a painful or sensitive tooth. 

• Preserve your natural tooth – The biggest benefit of root canal therapy is that it’s the simplest and easiest way to eliminate your tooth infection and preserve your natural tooth. At Dreier Family Dental, we’re dedicated to conservative, minimal dentistry, so our goal is always to preserve your natural tooth whenever possible. Getting root canal therapy is much better than pulling and replacing your tooth.
• Avoid spending time & money on a replacement tooth – Extracting your tooth is expensive and invasive, and if you want to avoid changes to your appearance and issues with your future oral health, you need to get a replacement tooth like a dental implant, dental bridge, or a partial denture. These replacements are more expensive and require more dental visits compared to simply getting a root canal.
• Pain-free procedure – Despite the reputation that root canals have earned in popular culture, the procedure is minimally-invasive and causes no pain or discomfort. Your mouth will be completely numb and you can even be sedated at our office to ensure you feel safe and comfortable.
• Eliminate your pain and discomfort – An infected tooth can be extremely painful. The toothache caused by a tooth infection may interfere with your day-to-day life, and cause you a lot of discomfort. It may be hard to eat, chew, drink hot and cold beverages, or even to speak when you have a serious tooth infection. But with a root canal from Dreier Family Dentistry, you can completely eliminate your oral pain and discomfort.
  

Will I Need A Crown After A Root Canal?

In general, you will need a crown after a root canal if one of your rear teeth (molars and premolars) is treated with root canal therapy. This is because these teeth have to deliver a lot of crushing force when chewing, and a filling alone may not be strong enough to restore your tooth properly after a root canal. 

Front teeth, on the other hand, can usually be treated with a filling after root canal therapy, since they are not subjected to lots of pressure and force when chewing. 

There are a few other factors to take into account, too. For example, if a tooth is seriously damaged due to an oral injury or extensive decay, it may need a crown even if it’s a front tooth. Dr. Dreier may also recommend a crown rather than a filling if you grind your teeth (bruxism).

If you do need a crown after your root canal treatment, your tooth may be temporarily restored with a filling or a resin dental crown. You’ll need to come in for one or more appointments at our office to have your tooth prepared, and to be fitted for a permanent ceramic dental crown. Dr. Dreier will give you the details after your root canal treatment at Dreier Family Dental.

Contact Us Now to Restore Damaged Teeth!

If you have a toothache, and believe that you may have a cavity or an infected tooth, it’s important to get help right away. At Dreier Family Dental, we perform comprehensive exams to determine the best treatment method for your particular needs. Don’t let an infected tooth prevent you from enjoying your smile. Contact us now at (608) 752-2931 for your consultation, or come to our office at 2630 Liberty Lane Janesville, WI 53545.