Root Canal Treatment Sandy
At Taylor Dental Care, Drs. Michelle and Glenn Taylor regularly perform dental procedures such as endodontic therapy or “root canal” treatment. Sandy, Utah patients can maintain their natural tooth in place even after infection or damage by undergoing this procedure. The only option to root canal treatment is permanent extraction of the natural tooth, which should be avoided whenever possible. Many patients who are told that they could benefit from root canal therapy may have many questions about what it is and its use to save the smile.
What’s a root canal?
Many Sandy, Utah area patients who are told they could benefit from a root canal may be unsure what it is. Also known as endodontic therapy, the root canal procedure is performed to address a problem such as internal infection of the tooth, an extensive cavity, or an abscess. During the process, the dentist will create an access point into the inner canals of the tooth. Through this area, the dentist will then remove the dental pulp inside the tooth and disinfect the canals before filling the tooth. In some cases, the dentist may also create and bond a dental crown over the tooth to offer another layer of strength.
Do root canals hurt?
It is a general misconception that root canals hurt. They are often performed to alleviate the pain and discomfort that patients might experience. A constant toothache is usually an indication of an infection that requires the procedure to address. The root canal procedure is performed with proper sedation and anesthesia to ensure patient comfort from start to finish!
Do I need a root canal?
Determining if root canal therapy is needed starts with an evaluation with the team at Taylor Dental Care which may include dental x-rays. Call the office of Drs. Michelle and Glenn Taylor today at (801) 565-9411 to request a consultation visit at 9924 South 700 E. The team accepts new patients from in and around the community of Sandy, UT, and provides services for both children and adults.
Root Canal
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.
Root Canal FAQs
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?
Before you get a root canal, you can take several steps to prepare for it. Doing so will ensure your final treatment is smooth and effective.
For starters, please avoid alcohol and tobacco prior to your care. These substances can interfere with numbing medication, making your root canal more irritating than necessary. You should instead just have a healthy meal beforehand; it’ll keep you from feeling hungry during your procedure.
Another tip is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever before your visit. That way, you can reduce your potential discomfort after the numbing medication wears off.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
A standard root canal only requires one dental visit, which can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. However, the length of your own treatment will depend on your personal circumstances.
Imagine that you have a severe tooth infection, for example. Your dentist may have to divide your root canal into two visits in this case. The first visit would place a temporary antibacterial medicine in the tooth, while the second appointment would clean out your tooth’s innards.
Alternatively, say it’s a molar that needs a root canal. This type of tooth has more roots than other kinds, so disinfecting it will take longer. That means the final root canal will involve a greater amount of time.
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
A root canal itself shouldn’t cause you pain, but you may feel some soreness after it’s over. That’s a normal reaction to have once the numbing medication wears off.
Of course, such post-treatment discomfort is temporary. It won’t (or at least shouldn’t) last longer than three days at most. You can also manage it in the meantime with over-the-counter pain relievers, especially those like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Please call us quickly if your pain doesn’t fade after the three-day mark. In that case, you may have some treatment complications that we should address.
Do I Need Antibiotics Before or After My Root Canal?
As luck would have it, most patients don’t need antibiotics before or after a root canal. The treatment is (often) safe enough that medicines aren’t required for it.
A patient only needs antibiotics before a root canal when they have prior health issues. Even then, a dentist will only prescribe the medicine when the problem increases your risk of an oral infection. You likely won’t need an antibiotic otherwise; you can just directly proceed with treatment.
That said, a dentist will review your medical history to see if you need an antibiotic. Those details will show whether the medicine would benefit your root canal.