Root Canal Treatment – Waverly, IA
Tooth-Saving, Pain-Free Root Canals
Here’s a sure bet: anything a friend or colleague tells you about a root canal is false or at least exaggerated. The phrase, “Don’t believe everything you hear” should immediately come to mind. Instead, trust Waverly dentist, Dr. Jonathan Smiley. He’ll tell you the truth about root canals: they are not painful, and they are not time-consuming. In fact, it is intended to preserve a tooth that has been damaged internally due to severe tooth decay or traumatic injury. If you want to learn more about this tooth-saving treatment, read on or get in touch with our team.
Why Choose Smiley Family Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment?
- Experienced, Gentle Dentist
- Dental Insurance Welcome
- High-Quality, Custom Restorations
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
When a tooth is healthy and structurally sound, the bacteria in your mouth are kept out. However, if there is a large untreated cavity, a deeply penetrating crack, or another type of traumatic injury, then bacteria can access the internal portion of a tooth, which is called the pulp chamber. This is the nerve center of a tooth. There is also some blood and lymph tissue in the chamber that transport nutrients to the tooth and carry away toxins.
Once inside the pulp chamber, bacteria begin to multiply, and infection begins. As the infection grows, there is inflammation, which leads to the first and most recognizable symptom of an infected tooth: excruciating pain. While this is often the telltale sign that a root canal is necessary, other symptoms include:
- A sore on the gum tissue near the tooth
- Tooth sensitivity when biting down or exposed to hot and cold temperatures
- Swelling on the side of your face
- Pus between the tooth and gum
If you experience any of these symptoms, then it’s time to see our Waverly dentist, Dr. Smiley. He will take an X-ray of the tooth to confirm infection and then a root canal will be performed.
The Root Canal Process
Prior to a root canal, Dr. Smiley anesthetizes the tooth and surrounding tissue. Then, a small access hole is drilled, and special files are inserted into the tooth in order to remove all of the infection as well as the natural contents of the pulp chamber and attached root canals. Once the area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, the chamber and canals are filled with gutta-percha. This natural substance expands to prevent bacteria from reentering the tooth. In addition, gutta-percha helps to strengthen the tooth from the inside, supporting the remaining exterior structure. Lastly, the tooth is sealed and prepared for a dental crown that Dr. Smiley will place once he’s certain the tooth is healthy again.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Hands down, one of the biggest benefits of root canal treatment is that it saves your tooth from needing to be extracted, which is a more extensive and costly procedure. Additionally, this emergency dental treatment has an extremely high success rate. So, there’s a good chance that, with proper care, you’ll enjoy the results for the rest of your life. Plus, the restoration used to cover your treated tooth will be crafted from lifelike materials, like porcelain. So, the results won’t just feel good, they’ll look good too!