Each year, endodontists are able to save millions of teeth using root canal therapy, so if you’ve been told you need the procedure, you’re not alone. At Murray Hill Dental, we strive to do whatever we can to save and preserve your natural smile, including root canal therapy when it’s the best option to save damaged teeth.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is also known as endodontic treatment, which means treatment of the inside of the tooth. Typically, the dentist who performs root canals is called an endodontist, and is someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating dental pulp and performing root canal therapy. The pulp lies beneath each tooth’s hard surface and layer of dentin, and is composed of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves.
When the pulp inside a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy, is usually needed. Our experienced and trustworthy root canal dentist and founder, Dr. Brown, will remove the infected tissue, seal the space, and restore the tooth’s full function.
When Is It Necessary to Schedule an Appointment with Our Endodontist?
When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected, it could be due to many reasons. You might need root canal therapy from our Columbus root canal dentists if you suffer from any of the following situations:
- A cracked or chipped tooth
- Tooth injury (without visible cracks or chips)
- Extreme tooth decay
- Multiple dental procedures on the same tooth
Other symptoms to look out for that may indicate you need a root canal include pain, tenderness, discoloration, severe sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks, or swelling around the tooth in question.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us today to book an appointment with our endodontist at any of our Columbus Murray Hill Dental offices in Westerville, West Columbus, or New Albany.
What Should I Expect with a Root Canal Procedure?
Many people are fearful of root canals based on the assumption that it’s a painful procedure. In reality, with Murray Hill’s modern techniques and anesthetic options, you could go through an entire root canal therapy procedure with minimal discomfort.
Here’s what you can expect during root canal therapy:
- First, the tooth will be X-rayed and examined to check on the damaged area
- You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area being worked on; we also offer sedation dentistry options to keep you more comfortable
- Dr. Brown will create an opening in the crown of the tooth and begin to clean the pulp
- After cleaning and shaping the pulp, Dr. Brown will fill the root canals of the tooth, fully sealing them
- Finally, the tooth is completely closed with either a crown or another type of permanent tooth restoration
Our dentist who performs root canals will be sure to manage your comfort level and make sure you leave feeling better than you did when you walked in.
Following the root canal therapy, you may experience some sensitivity in the tooth that was treated. Overall, what used to be thought of as a painful and intense procedure is now pretty routine with little downtime. Most importantly, a root canal can save your tooth and your smile!
Ready to Schedule an Appointment with Our Columbus Root Canal Dentist?
At Murray Hill Dental in Columbus, Ohio, we offer a variety of other services if root canal therapy doesn’t match your symptoms or dental needs. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your treatment. We look forward to seeing you!
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