Root Canal Houston, TXRoot Canal Treatments in Houston provided by Dr. Frank Dunlap at Frank Dunlap, DDS  While modern dental technology has resulted in the creation of many excellent restoration options, nothing can replace your natural teeth. That is why our team at Frank Dunlap, DDS makes every effort to save your natural teeth whenever possible. One way that we accomplish this goal is through the use of root canals. This procedure often allows our professionals to preserve the health of your gums and tooth roots. The roots of your teeth are invaluable to your overall oral health. They help prevent gum disease and receding gums. The tooth roots also help to protect the density of your jawbone from being resorbed. Request an Appointment Also On This Page:
What is a Root Canal?A root canal is a specialized dental procedure that is necessary if the pulp within your tooth has become infected. The pulp is the soft inner core of your tooth, below the enamel. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, which is why infected teeth can cause a substantial amount of discomfort. Not only that, but an infection in your tooth will eventually affect the health of your gums. Severe infections require antibiotic treatment and can cause serious health consequences. Root canals allow our team to remove that infected material in hopes of saving the tooth and protecting you. How Do You Know if You Need a Root Canal?Like any other oral condition, root canals have unique symptoms that will determine whether you need a root canal procedure. If you notice any of these symptoms, you must come in for treatment as soon as possible.
What Causes the Need for a Root Canal?A root canal is an advanced dental procedure that removes infected pulp or soft tissue from within the roots of an infected tooth. This explains where the root canal procedure got its name — the root canal is part of the treated area. Knowing that dental pulp is made of connective blood vessels, nerves, tissues, and cells is crucial. Any infection sustained by the pulp inside your teeth causes extreme pain due to pressure and sensitivity. This makes chewing and biting highly uncomfortable, and you might not be able to chew or drink anything at all. By visiting our offices, our team of professionals will help fix the situation by performing a root canal procedure. How Long Does a Root Canal Take?A root canal procedure can take one or two appointments depending on the amount of damage to your tooth. Generally, it takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete a root canal procedure. If the procedure is being performed on a tooth with several roots, the time increases to around one and a half hours. A root canal procedure is done in several steps. Before we start the procedure, we will take an x-ray of the infected tooth. This is crucial because it helps us determine the extent of the damage done to the tooth. An x-ray also helps us decide whether a root canal procedure is the ideal treatment option. Then, after applying local anesthesia, we will make an opening in the crown of the infected tooth. Our team uses extremely small instruments to clean the pulp from the root canals and pulp chamber. During the cleaning, we also shape the space for filling. After successfully cleaning and shaping the infected tooth, we will fill the root canal with a biocompatible material (in most cases, we use a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha). We will completely seal the root canals by placing the gutta-percha with an adhesive cement. We also place a temporary filling to seal the opening on your tooth crown. Our team will carefully remove the temporary filling before we restore the tooth. This process is done with extremely high precision to ensure accuracy. Do Root Canals Hurt?Contrary to what most people believe, root canal procedures are not painful. This is because we use a local anesthetic that keeps the area numb. With the source of your pain being removed, you will feel immediate relief right after the procedure. Therefore, you don't have to worry about great discomfort during a root canal procedure. Any discomfort after the procedure can also be managed. Can You Eat After a Root Canal?You can eat 30 to 50 minutes after a root canal procedure. This time is enough to allow the temporary filling to harden fully. However, you should wait a few more minutes to allow the anesthetic to wear off. This prevents you from biting your tongue. Schedule a Root Canal Appointment Today!Do you need a root canal procedure? If you have an irritating or decayed tooth, then you may benefit from a root canal. If you would like more information, then it is time to come see us. Our experts at Frank Dunlap, DDS are ready to help you attain good oral health by performing an advanced root canal procedure. We take advantage of new technology to make the process as smooth as possible. Call us today at (346) 576-4411 to schedule an appointment. Request an Appointment |
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