Root canal therapy saves teeth in Thibodaux, LA

You only get 32 adult teeth. That sounds like a lot, but except for wisdom teeth, you need all of them. With techniques like dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures, most teeth can be replaced. However, there is no substitute quite as good as nature’s design. Root canal therapy is a means to save a tooth and prevent tooth extraction. At Acadia Family Dentistry in Thibodaux LA, the procedure is low stress.

Understanding endodontic therapy

At the center of each tooth is a mass of vascular and nerve tissues. When untreated decay or trauma compromises the protective enamel covering and hard dentin substructure, oral bacteria make their way to this area. Nerves become inflamed and painful pressure builds in the pulp chamber. You may develop a nagging toothache that comes and goes. The tooth could cause pain when you bite down or be unusually sensitive to heat and cold. In other cases, you simply wake up with acute pain and a swollen face.

Root canal treatment gets you out of discomfort quickly by removing the source of the pain – nerves in the tooth.

• At Acadia Family Dentistry, getting a root canal is about like getting a filling. It just takes a little longer.
• Job number one is ensuring your comfort. This may start with a course of antibiotics or a prescription for oral pain medication.
• Once in the chair, your mouth is thoroughly numbed, bringing immediate relief.
• If you are very nervous about endodontic services, the doctor may suggest inhaled nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation to help you relax.
• The tooth is opened, which alleviates internal pressure.
• Damaged structure and tooth infection are removed.
• The pulp is removed, and canals are sanitized.
• The opening is sealed, and the tooth is protected with a temporary composite restoration.
• You return in several weeks to have a permanent porcelain crown made and replaced in one day.
• With good oral hygiene, the treated tooth may last as long as any other in your smile.

How Root Canal Therapy treats nerve and root irritation

The root and the nerve tissue pulp are susceptible areas of a tooth. Root canal therapy can be used to bring relief to these sensitive areas when they become infected or inflamed. This successful treatment is often coupled with a crown to ensure the reinforcement of tooth strength.

Video Transcript

Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.

Are you looking for a root canal dentist with experience caring for the people of Thibodaux LA and nearby communities of Houma, Chackbay, Labadieville, Schriever, Raceland and Gray? Call Acadia Family Dentistry at (985) 303-2920 to take advantage of the benefits of root canal therapy in Thibodaux ,LA.