Root Canals
When you hear you need a root canal, do you immediately tense up and prepare for the worst? Many people react this way, which is unfortunate because it is a procedure that relieves pain and saves a tooth from extraction.
Comfortable, Stress-Free Root Canals
It may be true that decades ago, root canals were long, complicated procedures. But a lot has changed in dentistry, and at our Groveport, OH dental office, we make stress-free root canals a thing of the past.
The first thing we want you to know about a root canal is that it’s not a painful procedure. We perform a root canal to remove the infection that causes your pain. The fact is that a root canal doesn’t cause pain, it relieves it.
When Would You Recommend a Root Canal?
Dr. Sacheen Garrison usually recommends a root canal when an infection has reached deep inside your tooth that is filled with dental pulp. Bacteria cause an infection to develop in this area as a result of severe decay or injury to the tooth.
When this part of your tooth becomes infected, you may notice any of the following symptoms:
- A throbbing toothache that worsens over time
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- A raised bump or “pimple” on your gums
- Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
- Gum tenderness or swelling
The only way to relieve these symptoms and save your tooth from extraction is to perform a root canal at our Groveport, OH dental office.
How Will You Keep Me Comfortable?
We don’t want you to worry if we tell you that you need a root canal. Dr. Garrison has been performing safe, comfortable root canals for her patients for 18 years. Our caring dental team has all the experience needed to ensure that you have a stress-free procedure.
If you’re a nervous patient, we’re pleased to offer sedation options like nitrous oxide and oral sedatives. Both will calm you enough so that you can receive the important dental care you need.
We’re also pleased to offer blankets, pillows, and TV to help you relax.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
First, Dr. Garrison uses a local anesthetic to numb the area of your mouth she’s treating so you won’t feel anything. We won’t start your procedure until we know you’re comfortable.
Next, we need to make a tiny hole in your tooth so Dr. Garrison can reach the infection deep inside. She uses state-of-the-art rotary endodontic technology because it makes your treatment faster and more comfortable. Using this updated equipment also enables Dr. Garrison to get deep inside the tooth to remove all traces of infection.
Once the infected pulp is removed, the tooth is disinfected. Since this space has been cleared out, Dr. Garrison uses a rubber-like material to fill it. Finally, she seals the tooth and places a temporary filling. We’ll let the tooth heal for about two weeks; then you will return so we can place a filling or crown on the tooth to protect it.
Don’t Put off a Root Canal
We understand that getting a root canal may seem like a stressful experience, but we’d like to show you that it’s really not. If you have a severe toothache and think it might be an infected or abscessed tooth, please call Groveport Smiles to arrange a dental appointment.
If you are in pain, we will do our best to see you the same day to provide the relief you need.
