One of the most feared procedures in dentistry continues to be the root canal. However, the media has it all wrong! This procedure is not painful. In fact, dentists only perform this procedure when the patient is properly anesthetized and sedated. Also, severe pain is what brings patients into the office for relief, and root canal therapy is often the desired treatment. At Golden Dental Solutions, Drs. Nancy Gill, Dallas Kenson, and Evelyn Qi can evaluate a patient to determine fi they could benefit from this treatment.
Below are some of the more common questions asked about it:
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is the process of accessing the inner canals of a tooth to remove the dental pulp, a mass of tissues. The empty canals are then disinfected. Finally, the tooth is filled with gutta percha and finished with composite resin bonding.
Why do I need root canal therapy?
When a tooth has become infected or has extensive trauma, it may be a candidate for removal. Root canal therapy is a last-ditch effort to maintain the natural tooth in place. The procedure may be recommended to individuals who have an infection that has entered in the tooth, an abscess, or a large cavity.
What alternatives are available to root canal therapy?
The only other treatment is removal and replacement of the tooth, which should only be chosen as a last resort. The root canal therapy procedure can be performed to avoid this and allow patients to keep the natural tooth in place.
Is there a way to treat the tooth at home?
Infections, abscesses, and severe damage to the tooth need to be addressed by a dental professional. This is especially true if there is an infection, as the condition requires evaluation and care through root canal therapy. Unlike other conditions that can be reversed with increase at-home care, conditions that bring patients in for root canal therapy are often only treatable in this manner.
How do I learn more about root canals?
Educating yourself on the goal of root canal therapy and the process is the best way to find out if it will meet your unique needs. Drs. Nancy Gill, Dallas Kenson, and Evelyn Qi of Golden, Colorado welcome you to book a consultation visit with the team at 1218 Arapahoe Street. Call (303) 277-9600 to request an appointment at Golden Dental Solutions.