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Root Canal Solutions

When your tooth is in trouble due to trauma or a deep root infection, we can sometimes save it with root canal therapy. Occasionally, teeth become deeply infected or abscessed, and the options are to either extract your tooth or attempt to save it with a root canal. At Nederland Family Dental, we believe saving your tooth is essential.

However, if your tooth cannot be saved, your dentist in Nederland offers tooth replacement options to restore your smile and oral health.

If you notice tooth sensitivity that worsens or does not improve, or if you have a toothache, we recommend contacting a member of our team immediately to schedule an exam. When it comes to oral health issues and root infections, it is always better to treat them sooner rather than later.

For more information about root infections and root canals, continue reading.

Why save a tooth?

What are the symptoms of a root infection?

When you need a root canal, the most common symptoms include pain, swelling, pressure, sensitivity to hot and cold, and a small pimple-like protrusion on your gums.

In the early stages of infection, you may not have any symptoms or only mild tooth sensitivity. We encourage you to contact our office if you have oral health changes that do not improve. Other oral health conditions can mimic a root infection, so your dentist in Nederland must make the diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment.

Is root canal therapy painful?

People joke around about root canal pain, but don't be fooled. It is the root infection that causes the pain and the root canal therapy that relieves it. In fact, we numb the area that is causing you pain during your root canal treatment. How is that for instant relief?

If you have anxiety, we also offer sedation dentistry to help you through your root canal. Your dentist evaluates you to make sure oral sedation is a safe option. And we provide all instructions before and following your root canal treatment with sedation.

What happens during root canal therapy?

When we perform a root canal in Nederland, TX for you, we eliminate the infection and infected tissue inside your tooth, relieving the pain and symptoms you likely experienced. We start by making sure you are comfortable. Next, we gain access to your tooth's root by making a tiny hole in your tooth.

Then G. Whitney Gomez DDS will completely clean out your tooth's root, including the nerve, pulp, and infection. Then, he will sterilize the inside of your tooth to ensure no infection remains.

Once we complete the cleaning out process, we will fill your tooth with an inert material and any medication necessary to keep the area clear from infection. Then we fill the hole we made for access to your tooth canal. Our doctor will help with any pain management necessary while you heal. You should feel significantly better in a few days.

We allow your body time to heal and schedule a follow-up exam. If all looks well, we can release you from root canal treatment by placing a crown or permanent filling.

Will I need a shot?

We can complete some procedures without the need for a shot. If you have a shallow cavity or a dental bonding procedure, we may be able to perform the needed treatment without using an anesthetic. Still, in other cases, like dental crowns, deep decay, or root canal treatment, you will feel more comfortable with your procedure if we numb you.

Even if you do need a shot, you should know that we are expert shot givers. We do this a lot and have mastered the technique in both adults and kids. Often the anticipation of receiving the shot is worse than the shot itself. For that reason, we keep syringes and other scary-looking instruments out of sight so that they don't create any unnecessary anxiety.

Two of the responses we most often hear from our patients are, "Wow! I didn't even feel that!" and "You already gave me a shot?" Our doctor does a fantastic job of making the experience as pain-free as possible.

We also work closely with a pharmacist who makes numbing gels and rinses to minimize feeling any injection sting. In other words, we can numb you before we numb you so that you don't feel the injection or your procedure.

Will I need a tooth crown?

When we remove the material from inside your tooth, it may make your tooth brittle and more susceptible to cracks and damage. That is why we often recommend a dental crown on your root canal tooth to protect it from day-to-day wear caused by chewing and talking. A crown is especially crucial if your root canal is on your molar, where much of the force from chewing occurs.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that goes over your tooth. No one will guess that you have a dental crown!

How can I lower my risk for a future root infection?

The best way to avoid damage or trauma to your tooth is to follow best practices.

First, it is essential to visit your dentist regularly for dental exams and teeth cleanings. It is also crucial to adopt an excellent oral care routine at home.

Dental exams can spot potential problems early, and teeth cleanings clear away the bacteria and tartar that lead to tooth decay, root infections, and even periodontal disease. When coupled with excellent at-home care, you lower your risks for oral health complications.

If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), ask your dentist about a nightguard. Bruxism can break down your enamel, which may lead to infection or fractures.

If you play on a sports team, it is also essential to wear a mouthguard and the proper face gear to avoid impact injuries to the mouth.

At Nederland Family Dental, it is our goal to prevent oral health issues and keep you smiling!

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