Root Canal Therapy in Boise, Idaho
Effective Root Canal Therapy
Hearing a dentist mention root canal therapy may worry patients or bring fears of a painful, complicated process. But the truth is, root canal therapy by Scott E. Hayhurst Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is a very straightforward process that isn’t much different from getting a standard filling. We perform root canals right here in our Boise, ID dental office that alleviate the pain the infection is causing while allowing patients to retain their teeth. If we decide root canal therapy is the right solution for your teeth pain, you can have peace of mind knowing that it will be performed by a local dentist you can trust.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a process performed by an endodontist to relieve pain caused by an infection or inflammation in a tooth’s root. The trauma is caused by infected pulp inside the root of the tooth, leading to an abscess at the base of the tooth inside the gums. Left untreated, the infection causes severe pain. The best treatment is to have a dentist remove the pulp inside the tooth, disinfect and reshape the root canals, and place a filling that will seal the space and keep it free of infection.
What Are the Signs You Need a Root Canal?
Recognizing early root canal symptoms allows you to get the care and treatment you need quickly, before your symptoms progress and get more uncomfortable, painful, or serious. The most common root canal symptoms and signs are:
- Persistent and severe tooth pain that gets worse when you bite, chew, or put pressure on your tooth
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold beverages and foods
- Swollen, tender, or discolored gum tissue
- Discoloration of your tooth or a tooth that looks gray or black
- A tooth that feels loose or like it might fall out
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- A lesion or pimple on your gums that won’t heal or that drains
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
Before you undergo root canal therapy, your dentist will take dental X-rays and assess the health and condition of your tooth and surrounding gum tissue. They may do an electric pulp test to assess the reaction of your tooth pulp and check for signs of swelling in your gums and surrounding bone. The root canal therapy process includes:
- Administering local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums
- Providing dental sedation to ease anxiety or fear
- Drilling a small hole in the crown of your tooth to access your tooth pulp
- Clearing out the nerves, blood vessels, and tissue inside your tooth pulp
- Disinfecting and cleaning your tooth chambers
- Filling the chambers with dental putty
- Sealing your tooth with a temporary dental filling and placing a dental crown
Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed?
The tooth pulp needs to be removed if it is infected or severely damaged. It may be damaged due to a deep cavity, trauma, or decay. If it isn’t removed, you may develop a dental abscess that could spread to your surrounding bones and tissues. The infection could also spread to your bloodstream and affect your organs.
What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is the only alternative to extracting your tooth. When your tooth is severely decayed, infected, or damaged, it must be removed or treated with a root canal procedure to protect your health. The benefits of root canal therapy are:
- Relief from pain, swelling, discomfort, and tooth sensitivity
- Retain your natural tooth and avoid the need for a tooth extraction and dental prosthetic
- Preserve your smile
- Improve your dental health
- Treat and prevent infection
- Prevent jawbone damage
Does it Hurt to Get a Root Canal?
Root canals have a reputation for being painful. However, it’s not the process that is painful; it is the infection that causes the pain. With today’s dental tools and technology, root canal therapy is not complicated and relatively pain-free since anesthesia is used to numb the area of the mouth where it’s performed. It’s important to remember that the process isn’t nearly as uncomfortable as the infection, and the relief it provides will have you smiling pain-free.
Schedule a Consultation to an Endodontist for Root Canal Therapy
At Scott E. Hayhurst Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Hayhurst and our team of dental specialists do everything we can to improve your oral health and the beauty of your smile. We offer proactive, preventive dental services and patient education to help you avoid dental cavities and dental infections. If you recognize signs and symptoms that you need a root canal in Boise, ID, we can provide swift pain relief and stress-free dental services. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation for root canal therapy.