Saving Your Tooth at Just Smile Dental
Oral trauma, infection, or tooth decay are all common dental issues. However, if these conditions are left untreated, patients may be required to receive a tooth extraction to prevent further damage to their oral and overall health.
Fortunately, at Just Smile Dental, our Everett restorative dentist, Dr. William Webley, can save your teeth and restore your oral health with a root canal treatment. Learn how Dr. Webley can help patients in Edmonds, Marysville, Lynnwood, and surrounding Snohomish County, WA areas save their teeth and preserve their smiles.
What’s Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy, also known as endodontics, is a restorative treatment to save a severely infected tooth. Tooth infections are often caused by untreated cavities, which allow unhealthy bacteria to reach the central layer of the tooth, called the pulp chamber. The dental pulp, which consists of blood vessels, living tissues, and nerves, is housed in the pulp chamber and can cause severe pain if infected.
Extraction is normally needed when a tooth’s nerve is severely infected. However, with root canal therapy, your Everett dentist can remove the infected dental pulp to preserve your natural tooth and save your oral health.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Choosing to undergo a root canal treatment allows you to enjoy various advantages for not only your oral health but your overall health, as well. Such benefits include:
- Natural Tooth Preservation: By removing the infection, the tooth can be saved, preventing the need for extraction.
- Pain and Discomfort Relief: Root canals alleviate toothaches and sensitivity, restoring comfort and oral function.
- Restoration of Oral Functionality: Treated teeth regain their normal chewing and biting abilities, allowing for proper digestion.
- Aesthetics and Improved Appearance: With the option of dental crowns, the treated tooth can be restored to its natural appearance.
- Cost Effectiveness: Root canal treatment is often more affordable than tooth extraction followed by tooth replacement options like dental implants or bridges.
Signs & Symptoms of Infected Tooth
Possible signs you may need a root canal treatment include:
- Toothache
- Difficulty chewing
- Presence of an abscess
- Tender or swollen gums
- Consistent severe tooth pain
- Tooth discoloration
- Hot and cold sensitivity
If you’re experiencing any of the following listed above, contact our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Webley right away.
Root Canal Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Webley will:
- Evaluate your oral condition and the severity of the infection
- Take 3D X-rays and impressions of your teeth
- Go over your medical history
Dr. Webley uses 3D X-rays to accurately diagnose and see how far the infection has spread. 3D X-rays allow us to see more than traditional techniques, allowing us to plan a more precise treatment. By using 3D X-rays, our Everett dentist will be able to see your root canal system to plan the treatment in a more precise manner.
We’ll be more than happy to answer your questions and concerns during this time. Dr. Webley will explain how the root canal treatment process works and can provide you with sedation dentistry options if you struggle with dental anxiety.
Root Canal Procedure
Before your procedure, Dr. Webely will thoroughly clean your mouth before applying a local anesthetic to numb the procedure area. We’ll also make sure the sedative you’ve chosen is properly working along with the anesthetic. Once we make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable, Dr. Webley will proceed.
To start, your Everett dentist will use an ultrasonically activated bactericidal medicament. This allows Dr. Webley to remove unhealthy bacteria, infected pulp remnants, and hard tissue debris within the root canal system. The lack of traditional dental tools often creates a more comfortable treatment experience.
After your tooth is cleaned, Dr. Webley will reinforce the tooth with a dental filling. Once the tooth is filled, Dr. Webley will seal it with your choice from our biomimetic dentistry options. Then, you can leave our Everett office with a pain-free and beautiful smile.
Apicoectomy
If you’ve already received a root canal treatment, but the procedure wasn’t successful, Dr. Webley may recommend an apicoectomy. This involves removing any potentially infected or diseased tissues left behind after a root canal treatment. Dr. Webley will use advanced microsurgical technology to locate and remove any infected tooth material that wasn’t properly found during your root canal treatment.
Root Canal Retreatment
If your infection comes back after a root canal treatment, Dr. Webley may perform root canal retreatment. Root canal retreatment or a surgical root canal, is similar to regular root canal treatment. Dr. Webley will use 3D X-rays to map your teeth and see where the infections are located.
During the procedure, Dr. Webley will remove the filling and crown to properly remove any infected materials before replacing the restorations. Retreatment is usually enough to prevent infection from returning. If you want more information about this treatment, contact our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Webley.
Aftercare and Recovery
Following a root canal procedure, Dr. Webley will provide you with specific post-procedure instructions to promote optimal healing. These instructions may include:
- Gentle oral hygiene practices
- Avoiding hard or chewy foods
- Taking prescribed medications to manage any discomfort
It’s crucial to attend follow-up visits with Dr. Webley for monitoring, so he can ensure the tooth heals properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your root canal treatment cost depends on factors determined by your personalized treatment plans, such as how many teeth need treatment and your insurance coverage. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider beforehand to learn more about your plan’s coverage and benefits.
With proper oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups, a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure can last a lifetime. However, you should maintain good oral care and address any issues promptly to ensure the longevity of the treated tooth.
After your root canal treatment, your restorative dentist will provide you with post-care instructions to follow at home. Avoid eating hot, spicy, crunchy, tough, and chewy foods. These foods may damage your procedural site. Common foods you’re allowed to eat while recovering from treatment include softer items such as:
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
- Smoothies
- Soft fruits and cooked vegetables
- Yogurt and Jell-O
- Blended soups and stews
A dead tooth is noticeable by a change in color. When a tooth’s blood vessel is cut off, the nerve slowly dies, causing the tooth to turn brown, black, or gray. When the nerve is dying, you may also experience severe, intense pain in the tooth.
If you’re exhibiting the signs and symptoms, contact your dentist’s office to schedule an appointment. They will take a look at the condition of your teeth and provide you with the necessary treatment as soon as possible.
Save and Protect Your Tooth With Root Canal Therapy!
You don’t have to live with tooth pain any longer. If you’re looking to preserve your teeth and smile in Snohomish County, WA, Dr. Webley can help. At Just Smile Dental, Dr. Webley and our dental team provide root canal therapy to get rid of your infection and help you maintain your oral health.
To schedule an appointment, contact our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 and get started on the path to preserving your smile. You can also fill out our online contact form, and one of our staff will be able to assist you. We look forward to helping you enjoy your natural teeth and smiling your best.