Root Canal Therapy
If you cringe when you hear the phrase “root canal,” we understand. This tooth-saving procedure has developed a poor reputation, but we want to set the record straight—root canals don’t cause pain, they relieve it.
The reason you are experiencing pain is that your tooth is infected, and we know that there is no pain quite like an infected tooth. Our priority is to provide treatment as quickly as possible to eliminate your pain by getting rid of the infection that’s causing it.
Your Comfort Is Our Priority
A root canal is not anyone’s idea of fun, and our goal is to make the procedure as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Dr. Troy Kemahli has a reputation for being a gentle, caring dentist who puts his patients’ needs first, and he and our Bellevue dental team will make your comfort a priority.
If you need a little extra help to relax during your appointment, we offer gentle, short-term sedation with nitrous oxide.
How a Tooth Gets Infected
Located deep inside a tooth is an area called the pulp chamber that contains the nerves, tissue, and blood supply that keeps the tooth alive. If an infection enters the pulp chamber, however, you will typically experience severe tooth pain.
This can occur because of a crack in the tooth, extensive tooth decay that has penetrated the outer layers of your tooth, or when a tooth has had multiple fillings.
Symptoms of a Root Canal Infection
Several signs might indicate you have an infected tooth and need a root canal:
- Mild or severe tooth pain
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Facial swelling
- Extreme tooth sensitivity
- Foul-smelling bad breath
- A raised, whitish bump on your gums
Unfortunately, a root canal infection may also be asymptomatic but damage your oral health just the same. This is another reason why dental checkups every six months at our Bellevue dental office are so crucial.
The Root Canal Procedure
A root canal is a straightforward procedure that’s no more complex than filling a tooth. The first step is for Dr. Kemahli to numb the tooth he’s treating, and when he does, your pain will disappear, and you won’t feel anything during the procedure.
When we’re sure you are numb, Dr. Kemahli uses specialized instruments to gently and thoroughly removes the infected material from inside your tooth. He then fills the cleaned-out area with gutta-percha to strengthen the tooth and places a temporary filling to protect the tooth while it heals.
In about two weeks, you will return to our office so we can replace the temporary with either a durable tooth filling or dental crown. The one we recommend depends on the location of the tooth and whether or not you have a teeth grinding habit.
After your root canal procedure, you may experience soreness for a day or two, but the excruciating pain is gone.
Please Call Us So We Can Help You
It’s always best to find and treat dental problems as soon as possible, and it is crucial in the case of an infected or abscessed tooth. We want to relieve your pain as quickly as possible, but an untreated tooth infection can also travel to other parts of your body and create a life-threatening situation.
If you have a toothache or notice any of the other symptoms listed above, please call Kemahli Dental in Bellevue so we can help you.
