Root canal treatment is a procedure that removes infected and damaged nerves from your teeth. It’s usually done to treat pain caused by an infected tooth or after a cavity has been filled, but can also be used to treat abscesses and other dental problems. If you are considering having a root canal, you should not fear it, as the procedure is painless and will alleviate your pain and improve your smile.
32 Pearls Dental Care is Seattle’s best root canal therapy provider. We will explain the procedure and answer any questions you have, so that you know exactly what to expect on the day of your procedure.Your comfort is first.
If you have any questions or want to make an appointment for a root canal, please call (206) 322-8862
At 32 Pearls, we’ll make your root canal treatment as easy and stress-free as possible. We understand that you may feel anxious about the treatment. We assure you that you are in the best possible hands, and we will do everything to make you comfortable.
Root Canals
A root canal is a procedure that removes infected and damaged nerves from your teeth. It’s usually done to treat pain caused by an infected or damaged tooth or after a cavity has been filled, but it can also be used to treat abscesses and other dental problems. If you’re considering having a root canal, you do not have to fear it because it is an excellent way to alleviate your pain.
When a tooth is injured, bacteria from your mouth can get inside the pulp and cause an infection. If this happens, the infected nerve tissue must be removed and replaced with plastic filling material to seal off the opening so bacteria cannot enter again.
This procedure is called a “root canal” because it involves removing all of the infected tissue inside the tooth’s root, or main part under your gums.
The root canal is the opening in the middle of each tooth that leads to the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber is made up of nerves and blood vessels. It’s where bacteria can grow if you don’t have regular dental care, especially if you live in an area with poor water quality or high pollution levels.
The pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels. It’s the soft tissue in your tooth that can become inflamed, which causes a toothache. When you have an infected tooth, your dentist may need to remove the pulp during a root canal treatment. During this procedure, everything inside your tooth (the tissue around it) gets cleaned out, so it’s empty and ready for a filling or crown.
- Root canals are not painful when done properly.
- Please see our service page regarding Sedation Dentistry to learn how we can help you relax during treatment.
Root Canal Procedure
To perform this procedure, our dentist will numb your tooth and surrounding gum tissue with local anesthesia. Then he will remove any damaged or dead nerve tissue through a small hole drilled into the top of your tooth (crown). After removing all signs of infection from inside your tooth, the hollow center with disinfected material (usually gutta percha) is filled to keep any remaining bacteria from entering again.
Numbing gel is usually applied to your gums and/or surrounding tissue, although your dentist may also use a local anesthetic injection. The numbing medicine will take effect within minutes and should provide you with painless comfort while they perform any necessary procedures.
- A root canal is treatment that can save your natural teeth.
If a tooth needs a root canal, the dentist also removes the decay and any broken pieces of the tooth that are too large to be removed. Then, they’ll use a series of files—often made from stainless steel or nickel-titanium—to clean the pulp chamber. These tools are made in different shapes, sizes, and angles to reach into hard-to-reach places inside your tooth.
Root canals are generally necessary when an infection has caused severe pain, swelling, or discoloration in the tooth. They can also be used to treat cracked teeth, which may otherwise need to be extracted if not treated properly.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
- Pain or discomfort while chewing
- Pain or discomfort while brushing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
- An ignored cracked tooth, broken tooth or a chipped tooth
- Swollen, inflamed or tender gums
- Dark color in or around gums
- Itchy or pimple-like areas around gums
