Root Canal Treatment Allentown
Creating Painless Smiles with Root Canals
Are you trying to save a tooth that’s damaged or severely decayed? If so, root canal treatment may be the best solution to preserve it. That said, many people assume this treatment is uncomfortable and often hesitate to commit to the procedure. On the contrary, this process is designed to eliminate the pain of having an infected tooth. If you’re experiencing a severe toothache or believe that you require root canal treatment, give our team a call today to receive an emergency examination.
Why Choose Bradford Young Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment?
- Custom Dental Crowns Crafted to Fit Comfortably Over Affected Teeth
- No Dental Putty Required – Digital Impressions Ensure Accuracy
- Comfort-Based Approach Used by Dentist & Team for Positive Patient Experience
Do I Need a Root Canal?
Root canals are intended to save an infected tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. The infection happens deep inside your tooth when bacteria that are normally kept out access your tooth’s interior via severe decay, a deep crack, or traumatic tooth injury. Aside from pain, the signs of an infected tooth include:
- A newly discolored tooth
- Swollen gums around the tooth
- Swelling on the side of your face
- Signs of infection on an X-ray
The Root Canal Process
When you come to Allentown restorative dentist, our team can help diagnose the issue at-hand to help you determine the next steps. We typically refer patients to a local endodontist for this treatment to make sure you receive high-quality treatment without complications. Once your root canal is complete, we can protect your tooth with a customized dental crown.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Root canals are essential and safe dental procedures that can help you avoid complications and more serious oral health problems down the road. Patients can expect to reap a few benefits by undergoing this treatment, including:
- Tooth preservation: Repairing a tooth instead of extracting it can save you the trouble, time, and money of needing to replace it with restorations.
- Practically pain-free treatment: By providing you with a local anesthetic, you’ll expect to undergo a painless procedure. Most patients claim it’s no worse than receiving a regular filling.
- Healthy pearly whites: After cleaning out all damaged or infected tissues that are causing pain, you can fully enjoy showing off a safe and comfortable smile again!
Root Canal FAQs
How Can I Avoid the Need for a Root Canal in the Future?
Root canal treatment is incredibly important to receive when you need it. However, this treatment can usually be avoided with the right oral healthcare routine. To prevent infection and decay, brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session. Angle your brush at 45 degrees for the most thorough cleaning. You should also floss once a day, removing harmful plaque and food debris from between your teeth.
For an extra layer of cleaning, try a nonalcoholic mouthwash after you’re done brushing. Last but certainly not least, visit our office for routine checkups and cleanings to catch any issues early before they get worse.
Is There an Alternative to Getting a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is one of the most important treatments we have to offer because the only alternative is tooth extraction. In fact, before root canals, that’s exactly what was done. If you had a tooth infection, the only way to prevent it from spreading and causing more damage was to completely extract your tooth. Thankfully, root canals effectively remove damaged or infected tissue while keeping your tooth intact. That said, there are some cases where teeth are too damaged or infected for a root canal, which may result in an extraction.
Is it Painful to Get a Root Canal?
Root canals often get a bad reputation for being painful. However, we offer this treatment to get patients out of pain rather than put them in it! In reality, your procedure is much more comfortable than you may have guessed, with a sensation that is similar to a simple filling. Typically, the only discomfort and soreness you will feel occurs once the procedure is over, but this will go away after a few days. Dr. Young does all he can to ensure that his patients remain relaxed and comfortable throughout their entire appointment.
What Should I Do After I Get a Root Canal?
After your root canal, it’s vital to give yourself some time to rest. Many patients who plan a root canal elect to have their appointment on a Friday so they can take the weekend to relax. However, if your schedule doesn’t permit you to do so, or it’s simply an emergency, just be sure to give yourself at least a day after your treatment to recover. You can take over-the-counter pain medication and use a cold compress for any swelling. Your discomfort will go away after a few days, but if it seems to get worse, please don’t hesitate to contact our office for the necessary treatment!