Up to 15 million Americans undergo root canal therapy each year. The outpatient procedure can preserve a permanent tooth, preventing the need for extractions. At Marvel Dental, the team regularly performs root canals. If you have a severe toothache, schedule an appointment by calling the nearest office in Fort Wayne and Huntington, Indiana, or booking online today.
A root canal eliminates infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth. Pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, but it isn’t necessary for a tooth’s long-term survival. Removing your pulp stops the pain, keeps the infection from spreading, and preserves your natural tooth.
At Marvel Dental, the team performs root canal therapy to treat extensive tooth pulp damage. Damaged tooth pulp occurs for various reasons, including:
If you experience any tooth pain, swelling, or a heated sensation in your gums, make an appointment at the nearest Marvel Dental location.
At Marvel Dental, getting a root canal takes two visits about a week apart.
Your provider reviews your dental records, asks about your symptoms, and performs an oral exam. Then, they take digital X-rays to get a better look at your tooth pulp and the surrounding tissue. If there’s infection or damage, you qualify for treatment.
Your Marvel Dental provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic, carefully removes the pulp from your tooth, and fills it with a material called gutta-percha. After the material dries, your provider takes impressions of your tooth and bonds a temporary crown on top.
Lastly, your provider sends your impressions to a nearby dental lab that designs a custom crown. About a week later, you return to Marvel Dental. Your provider removes your temporary crown and replaces it with the permanent one.
After a root canal, it’s normal to experience mild swelling and increased sensitivity when the anesthesia wears off. Take it easy for 24 hours, keep drinking plenty of water, and take any medication as prescribed. You might also need to eat soft foods for a few days, like soup or mashed potatoes.
Most people feel back to normal within a day or two. If your symptoms persist or get worse, contact the team at Marvel Dental right away.
To see if you’re a candidate for a root canal, schedule an appointment at Marvel Dental by calling the nearest office or booking online today.