Do you have severe pain in your mouth, sensitivity to hot and cold, cracked teeth, or dark and swollen gums? If so, you will likely need a root canal.
When searching for an "endodontist near me" you're looking for the best root canal dentist in the area. At Dorsey Family Dental in Ellicott City, MD, we have professional root canal specialists who will answer any questions and help you throughout the entire process from diagnosis to recovery.
What are Root Canals?
Root canals are endodontic treatments that remove the soft tissue inside the canal of the tooth to protect the remaining teeth. In Greek, "endo" means inside and "odont" means tooth. Thus, the procedure removes the pulp inside the tooth. The pulp can become damaged due to an untreated cavity or an injury. A root canal specialist will remove the infected or inflamed pulp to clean the canal then seal it to preserve as much of the tooth as possible.
Why Do We Need Root Canals?
Badly decayed or infected teeth need attention as soon as possible. Without proper treatment, the tissue around the tooth will become infected. It may even worsen to the point that the tooth may need removal by a root canal dentist. Damaged pulp allows bacteria to multiply in the pulp chamber, leading to infection and more problems.
Root Canal Symptoms
- Pain in the infected tooth (throbbing or persistent)
- General pain surrounding the tooth (face, jaw, other teeth)
- Temperature sensitivity
- Tooth discoloration
- Swollen gums
- Cracked or chipped tooth
- Loose tooth
What To Expect: The Root Canal Procedure
A root canal procedure typically lasts about 90 minutes. It is a straightforward procedure that will save your tooth and prevent further damage.
- The endodontist will need to take an X-ray to examine the shape of the root canals and see if there is an infection
- A rubber dam placed around your tooth will keep the area dry and isolated
- Next, the endodontist will drill into the tooth and remove the pulp, bacteria, and decayed nerve tissue
- Finally, the dentist will clean the canal and flush away the debris with water or sodium hypochlorite
Do Root Canals Hurt?
Some patients fear getting root canals because they worry that the procedure is painful. However, this is not the case. Instead, the procedure helps to remove the source of the pain by cleaning out the infected pulp. During the procedure, you will not feel anything since you will receive numbing medication at the site of the infection.
Recovering from a Root Canal
The area may be sensitive or sore for a few days after the root canal. However, since the procedure removes the nerve from the tooth, you will no longer feel anything in the tooth or be sensitive to hot or cold. A root canal does not kill the tooth — after the procedure, the tooth will continue to function normally, just without the nerve.
Your mouth will be numb for a few hours immediately following the procedure. For a few days after the procedure, the tooth may be sensitive due to tissue inflammation. To ease the pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Try to avoid chewing with the tooth until it has a crown or permanent filling. Eat soft foods that require little chewing, like eggs or yogurt.
Root Canal Prevention
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- See your dentist at least twice yearly for cleanings and exams
- Floss daily
We want you to find the best "endodontist near me" with the best possible smile. Feel free to ask us any questions. Our services will help you achieve a happy, healthy smile in no time!