Treat Infection and Strengthen a Damaged Tooth with Root Canal Therapy
If there is one dental term that patients fear more than all others, it is probably “root canal.” Ironically, a number of these same patients aren’t actually familiar with what, exactly, root canal therapy is. Root canal therapy is a treatment from the practice of endodontics, dental care that focuses on the inner layer of the teeth. At the center of each tooth is a collection of nerves and blood vessels. This is known as the tooth’s pulp. When this part of the tooth becomes infected, the tooth is likely to perish. Root canal therapy allows our dentists at Feather Touch Dental to treat root canal infection while preserving the outer structure of the tooth, so that tooth extraction or loss does not occur. As opposed to what some may believe, for our Atlanta patients, root canal therapy benefits are significant while the discomfort of treatment is very minimal.
What to Expect During Treatment
The majority of apprehension that is associated with root canal therapy is a fear of pain or discomfort throughout treatment. We begin each root canal therapy treatment by numbing the tooth with a local anesthetic. Additionally, patients can choose a form of dental sedation that they feel will keep them comfortable and relaxed throughout treatment. With this complete, a small hole will be made in the outer layer of the tooth. Thanks to advanced technology, this can often be done without the use of a dental drill. Through this entry point, damaged tooth pulp is removed, the root canals are cleaned, and the tooth is filled with a rubber compound. Finally, the tooth is treated with a dental crown, which covers and protects the tooth on all sides.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a very effective treatment that can be completed with little to no discomfort for our patients. Besides the fact that root canal therapy is a much less scary procedure than most patients expect, they are also happy to learn of its numerous benefits, which include the following:
- Root canal therapy treats infection and can prevent infection from spreading to other teeth and/or the jaw bone
- Root canal therapy can preserve a tooth that would have otherwise been lost or extracted
- Root canal therapy restores the strength and function of a tooth
- Root canal therapy allows for a strong, even bite
- Root canal therapy seals off the tooth so that it is protected from bacteria
- Root canal therapy protects surrounding teeth from being worn down by excessive wear and tear
- Root canal therapy improves the appearance of the tooth with the application of a tooth-colored dental crown
Under the skilled care of our dentists, and with the advanced dental technology used in our practice, root canal therapy is a highly effective and beneficial treatment with very few drawbacks.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are in need of root canal therapy, ignore the misconceptions you may have heard and come learn for yourself what this treatment is all about. We can restore the function of your teeth and eliminate pain so that you, once again, have a healthy and beautiful smile. Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to find out if root canal therapy is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!