What is a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal therapy is necessary when a tooth’s dental pulp becomes inflamed or damaged.

Whenever the center of a tooth (the dental pulp) becomes inflamed, infected or dead it needs to be treated immediately. If it is left untreated, a painful infection may spread to the surrounding bone and gums.

Root canal therapy — also known as endodontic treatment — has a bad reputation, but it is actually a routine procedure that can usually be completed in one visit. It relieves pain and saves damaged teeth.

Preparation

Root canal therapy is necessary when a tooth’s dental pulp becomes inflamed or damaged. This often occurs due to untreated deep decay or from trauma to the tooth. During treatment, our dentists remove the inflamed and infected tissue from the inside of the tooth, clean and shape the space, then fill and seal it. At a return appointment, we will place a crown over the affected tooth to protect it and restore it to full function.

Before beginning treatment, we will evaluate the situation using X-rays and other diagnostic methods. Then, we will isolate the affected tooth with a rubber dam. Once the area is protected, our dentists will remove any debris from the roots and canals of the affected tooth. They will then clean and disinfect the space and reshape it, before filling and sealing it. This will prevent bacteria from causing a new infection in the tooth. This treatment is less invasive than dental restorations, saving our patients’ natural teeth and reducing the amount of time they need to spend in our office.

Anesthesia

A Prairieville LA root canal or endodontic treatment, relieves pain and saves infected and damaged teeth. It treats the soft area in the center of the tooth called dental pulp, which consists of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. An infection of this area can be painful and may cause a dental abscess.

During a root canal, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the affected area. A dental dam is placed over the infected tooth to isolate it and a small opening is made to access the dental pulp. The infected dental pulp is removed and the tooth canals are cleaned and sterilized. At the return appointment, a restoration is used to seal and fill the tooth.

For patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety or phobia, nitrous oxide is available in combination with the local anesthesia for added comfort during a Prairieville LA root canal. This sedative is inhaled through a mask over the nose and mouth, allowing you to remain awake but relaxed throughout the procedure.

Treatment

A root canal is necessary when a tooth becomes infected. Infection is caused when bacteria enter the center of a tooth through deep decay, cracked or chipped teeth, or an untreated dental cavity. This can lead to a swollen, irritated or inflamed tooth pulp tissue that consists of nerve, blood vessels and connective tissue.

If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. A root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, treats infected and inflamed tooth pulp.

A root canal is a minimally-invasive procedure, and is often done in one visit to our office. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth and surrounding area. The procedure is performed under the magnification and illumination of our Zeiss Pro Ergo operating microscope, allowing Drs. Gremillion and Guarisco to visualize the smallest details (calcified canals, separated instruments etc). Patients may experience discomfort for a few days following their Prairieville LA root canal. This can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or with prescription medications.

Recovery

Root canal therapy is necessary when the center of your tooth becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, or cracks and chips in the tooth. A Prairieville LA root canal is a procedure where your dentist removes the inflamed or infected tissue, cleans, disinfects, and shapes the inside of the tooth and fills and seals the space. This helps preserve your natural tooth and prevents bacteria from spreading to the surrounding bone and tissues.

Upon completion, your dentist may place a crown or restoration on the affected tooth to protect it and restore its function. It is normal for the tooth to feel tender or ache immediately after treatment, which should subside within a few days. If discomfort persists, over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen or a prescription medication will be given if needed.