DENTAL SERVICES AT PROFESSIONAL DENTAL IN UTAH
Root Canals
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is made up of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels.
Request Your Appointment For Root Canals
About Root Canals (Endodontics)
Common Reasons For A Root Canal
Tooth pain that doesn’t go away
Pressure hurts
Swollen gums
Pimple on your gums
Swollen jaw
Discolored tooth
Loose tooth
How is a root canal performed?
Before: Infection
After: Root Canal
What happens during root canals?
Your provider injects anesthesia to numb your infected tooth and nearby gum. If you have dental anxiety, your provider may give you medications to help you relax. The medication may make you feel drowsy, which means you won’t be able to drive right after your treatment.
Next, your provider places a thin, flexible piece of rubber over your infected tooth and nearby gums. This is a dental dam that keeps your tooth dry during treatment.
They drill a tiny hole in your tooth’s crown so they can get to your tooth pulp.
Then, they use tiny dental instruments to remove nerves, blood vessels and tissues inside your tooth pulp.
After clearing out pulp, your provider cleans and disinfects your pulp chamber and root canals.
Next, they fill the empty pulp chamber and root canals with a flexible, rubbery dental material called gutta-percha.
Your provider then seals your tooth with a temporary dental filling. The seal keeps bacteria from getting into your tooth.
In the last step, your provider places a dental crown on your treated tooth. Dental crowns protect your teeth and restore your bite — the way your teeth fit together when you bite down. Dental crowns are typically made to order, so it may be two or three weeks before this last step happens.
Call Professional Dental at (801) 785-8000 to schedule your consultation in one of our dental offices in Utah.
Schedule Appointment
(801) 785-8000
Dental Services
Corporate Customer Service Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes no symptoms are present; however, signs you may need a root canal include:
- Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed)
- Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
- A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
A root canal is a treatment that repairs and saves a badly damaged or decaying tooth, or a tooth with a serious infection (abscess), instead of removing it. Inside every tooth is the pulp, soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels that nourishes the tooth.
The pulp can become infected because of a deep cavity, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, a cracked or fractured tooth, or an injury, even when no crack is visible. According to the American Dental Association, root canal treatment lets you keep your natural tooth.
First, your dentist takes X-rays of the tooth and the surrounding bone and numbs the area. A thin rubber sheet is placed over the tooth to keep it clean and dry during the root canal.
The dentist then makes a small opening in the top of the tooth, removes the nerve from inside the tooth and its root canals, and cleans each canal. The canals are filled with a rubber-like material that seals them against infection, and a temporary filling protects the tooth until your next visit.
With proper care, a tooth restored after a root canal can last a lifetime. The tooth and nearby area may feel sensitive for a few days, and your dentist will explain how to relieve any discomfort. If the infection had spread, antibiotics may be prescribed.
To protect your root canal tooth, brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day, and keep your regular dental visits. You can learn more about crowns and fillings on our dental restorations page.
Your tooth and gums go through a lot during a root canal. You can help them heal by:
- Eating soft foods for the first few days after treatment. (Think well-cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, smoothies and yogurt).
- Avoid chewing on your treated tooth if you’re waiting on your permanent crown.
- If you smoke, try to take a break after your root canal because smoking makes it harder for your tooth to heal.
- Brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing once a day.
- Using an antibacterial mouthwash to keep germs at bay.
If the infection is left untreated, the tissues around the root of the tooth can also become infected. This can cause pain and swelling, and an abscess may form inside the tooth or in the bone at the end of the root.
Over time, bacteria can damage the bone that holds the tooth to the jaw, which can lead to losing the tooth. That is why it is important to see a dentist early if you have tooth pain or swelling. A root canal can stop the infection and save the tooth.
Root canal treatment usually takes one or two office visits. Because a local anesthetic is used, there is little to no pain during the procedure, and the pain you felt before treatment should go away.
At the follow-up visit, the temporary filling is replaced with a permanent filling or a crown. If needed, a small post may be placed in the root canal to help hold the filling and support the crown. Your dentist may also refer you to an endodontist, a specialist in root canal treatment.
Yes. A cracked or fractured tooth can let bacteria reach the pulp and cause an infection. An injury can also damage the pulp even when no crack or chip is visible.
If a tooth hurts after an injury, see your dentist so the tooth can be checked and, if needed, treated with a root canal.
More Questions? Please Contact Us!
$228 /year
Exclusive Dental Offers and Promotions
Start Your Braces Treatment for Only $129
Kickstart your journey to a perfect smile for just $129! Begin your braces treatment today and take advantage of our 0% interest financing options....
New Patient Special
Take advantage of our special offer for new patients without insurance! Get a comprehensive exam, X-rays, and a preventative cleaning all for just ...
Book an Appointment
Dental Insurances We Take
Not in the list? Chances are we accept it
Follow Our Newsletter To Stay Tuned
