Root Canal Therapy – Wayland, MA

Get the Relief You Need

While root canal therapy is generally considered by many to be a painful or difficult procedure to get through, the opposite couldn’t be more true. Not only are our dentists trained to help you feel comfortable during every step of your treatment, but it’s the dental infection that causes discomfort you may be experiencing, not root canal therapy itself. In fact, root canal therapy is the best way to get yourself out of pain, all while improving the chances that you can save your natural tooth. If you fear that you may need root canal therapy, don’t hesitate to give our office a call!

What is Root Canal Therapy?

While root canals refer to the small interior areas located at the center of teeth, root canal therapy is specifically a treatment designed to remove dead, dying, or decayed tissue in a safe and effective way. If you’re experiencing discomfort due to an infection inside the root canal, it’s because this is where the tooth’s nerves are located. By performing root canal therapy, our office can effectively get you out of pain, remove decay, treat the infection, and restore your tooth’s appearance and functionality.

We start off by applying local anesthetic to the affected area to remove all sensations that could be felt during treatment. Then, a small hole is created in the top of the tooth so that our dentists can access the inner area where the pulp (and dental infection) lies. After clearing away decay and broken down tissue, the tooth is irrigated and filled with a material known as gutta percha. This rubber-like compound replaces the tissue that was removed and reduces your risk of the area becoming infected again later. From there, a crown is placed on top, typically at a second appointment.

How Do I Know If I Need Treatment?

Keep in mind that it is possible for you to experience a dental infection without necessarily noticing discomfort. The only way to know for sure if you need root canal therapy is to visit our office so you can have an X-ray of your underlying structures captured. With that said, there are symptoms you should always keep in mind, including the following:

• Severe throbbing pain or sensitivity
• Sensitivity to hot or cold substances
• Sharp pain, especially when biting down
• Dark discoloration of the gums
• Sores or pimple-like bumps forming on the gums

What Care is Needed Afterwards?

Once you complete your root canal therapy, you’re going to want to make sure to take the rest of the day off to recover. After the procedure is completed, you should start to notice a significant improvement in your comfort levels and experience little to no pain or sensitivity in your tooth. With that said, you can go back to your regular brushing and flossing as usual. However, you should avoid using a straw or any strenuous activities for the next 24 hours.