Frequently Asked Questions: Root Canals

Root Canal

At Rush Creek Dentistry in Arlington, TX, we work very closely with patients in and around the community to improve their smiles. We know that sometimes issues are aesthetic and sometimes they are purely functional. We encourage patients to take the time to learn more about the ways in which we can help. For some of our patients, issues may be resolved with root canal therapy. 

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic therapy, is performed by a dedicated dentist to remove the dental pulp from the inside of a tooth. By doing this, it can deaden a tooth and relieve patients of pain they may be experiencing. 

Certain dental situations require patients to seek root canal therapy. They include:

• Abscesses
• Infection
• Diseased dental pulp
• Large areas of decay
• Trauma to the tooth

The root canal treatment is not painful, as many patients seem to think. It is done with anesthetics and in many cases, sedation to ensure patient comfort throughout the procedure. It will eliminate pain, not cause it! We ensure our patients are comfortable throughout this treatment. There may be some discomfort the day following the procedure but this is minor and can be addressed with over-the-counter pain medications. Some patients may need to have a dental crown bonded over the tooth for protection, and this can be done at a separate appointment. 

If you live in or around the area of Arlington, TX and want to work with a dedicated team of professional, the team of Rush Creek Dentistry will help. We assist new and existing patients in our state-of-the-art practice with both general and cosmetic dentistry issues. We can restore the smile's appearance and health with many of our treatment options. Call us today to book an appointment.

You may have noticed people grimace at the mention of a root canal. Why should you be so scared of this dental treatment? The answer is simple: you shouldn’t. There is no good reason to be scared of a root canal treatment when you visit Rush Creek Dentistry in Arlington. At our office, we believe in providing painless dentistry in a comfortable environment, even during a root canal treatment.

Perhaps the reason many people associate pain with root canal is the pain felt before the root canal treatment. This pain is caused by the infection of the pulp within the tooth that requires root canal therapy to remove it. When your tooth has severe decay that has reached the pulp or you have experienced an injury that has allowed the pulp to become infected, you will experience quite a bit of pain. This is because the only feeling you have in your teeth comes from the nerves that lie within the tooth’s pulp. As a result, the infected pulp will need to be removed to stop the pain and preserve whatever healthy tooth structure is left. This is what a root canal procedure does. 

Before your dentist begins the root canal treatment, the area around the tooth will be numbed so that you will not feel anything that is done to the tooth. In addition, at our practice, you have the option of receiving sedation if you are feeling anxious about the treatment. Once we have made sure you are entirely comfortable and at ease, the dentist will clean out the tooth and remove any decaying or infected material. When the tooth has been cleaned, you will receive a special type of filling to close up the root canals, and the dentist will probably suggest placing a crown over the tooth to protect it.

If you notice pain or sensitivity in your teeth, don’t let fear of a root canal treatment keep you from visiting the dentist. Make an appointment at Rush Creek Dentistry and experience the relief of comfortable dental treatment, even if you need a root canal.

Root Canal Therapy

A diseased or infected tooth is a sure sign that a patient needs to see a dentist for assistance. Symptoms include pain, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling of the gums. Infection is confirmed with x-rays from a dentist at Rush Creek Dentistry in Arlington. When infection or disease occurs to a tooth, the first line of defense is root canal therapy. 

What is root canal therapy? This procedure is completed by a dentist to save the natural tooth. Instead of extracting the diseased tooth, the inner portion of the tooth is removed, disinfected, and filled. This treatment addresses the infection and allows the natural tooth to remain in place. Restorative procedures to repair a smile after a tooth has been extracted can be costly and time-consuming, so root canal therapy is the best course of action to save the smile. 

Inside of the tooth is the dental pulp, which holds the nerves and blood supply. Dental pulp is unable to heal after it is damaged, which requires the dentist to remove it to save a tooth. When this tissue is removed, it allows the dentist to disinfect the area and seal the tooth. If necessary, a dental crown is bonded over the tooth to protect it from damage, as it can become weak over time with the removal of the blood supply. This dental crown is fabricated with porcelain and designed to match the color and appearance of the existing natural teeth for aesthetic purposes. 

The procedure is very simple and painless when managed with anesthetics, and sedation is available if desired. Patients are educated on the procedure before it is done, and are instructed on what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Patients receive aftercare instructions when they leave the practice. 

The team at Rush Creek Dentistry offers a state-of-the-art facility and quality care to assist patients in their time of need. When infection and pain develops within a tooth, our team of experts is available to help. If you believe you are dealing with a diseased or infected tooth, contact our team today to schedule an initial examination to determine if root canal therapy can restore your quality of life.

Root Canal Therapy

Patients who are dealing with a painful toothache or other concern regarding a tooth may visit with an Arlington, Texas area dentist to find out the source of the problem. In some instances, these patients may be asked to consider root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy is a phrase that makes many patients cringe. Many believe that this procedure is extremely painful. However, this is not the case. With proper anesthetics and sedation, if necessary, patients can expect a painless procedure. This procedure is done to eliminate pain and discomfort patients are experiencing.

There are many reasons root canal therapy may be performed. Typically, the procedure is done to address:

• Large areas of decay reaching the dental pulp
• Infection of the dental pulp
• An abscess
• Trauma that affects the dental pulp

Root canal therapy is more desirable than extraction of a natural tooth. Removing a natural tooth requires patients to go through the process of restoring their smile with restorations such as dentures, dental implants, or dental bridges. Instead, root canal therapy can help save a tooth. It can allow patients to keep the structure of the tooth in place while addressing the issue at hand. 

The entire procedure is done during one appointment, and depending on the tooth structure, the dentist may also recommend the placement of a dental crown over the top. This is because the removal of the dental pulp inside the tooth will deaden it and can result in a brittle structure. The dental crown is made using impressions of the natural teeth after preparation, which requires the removal of tooth enamel. These molds are sent to a ceramist for the fabrication of the dental crown. The laboratory creates the crown and sends it to the dental office. It is bonded over the top of the tooth to add structure and protection. 

At Rush Creek Dentistry, we provide patients with solutions for their dental problems. Contact our practice today to book an appointment and learn more about root canal therapy and other restorative services to help maintain a healthy, beautiful, fully functioning smile!