Restore your healthy, sparkling smile! FAQs about root canal therapy to ease pain, preserve teeth
By sparking and sustaining healthy relationships, Wes Park Family Dentistry maintains open communication, consistent visits, and preventative services that help minimize the risk of tooth damage.
As a result, procedures such as root canal therapy can be avoided by preventing this kind of damage. However, when restorative procedures cannot be avoided, the treatments administered by Dr. Bryce Westmoreland support your utmost comfort and the best results and experience at our office in Perry, Georgia.
How does root canal therapy treat a damaged tooth?
Root canal treatment is an alternative to the loss of a tooth with a diseased nerve. These teeth would probably have to be extracted or removed in the past. Root canal therapy removes the source of an infection or inflammation inside the tooth, including the affected nerves. It may be the only way to preserve your damaged tooth.
How did my nerve get damaged in the first place?
When a tooth is cracked or possesses a deep cavity, bacteria can infiltrate the pulp tissue, leading to an infection within the tooth. If not addressed, this can result in the formation of an abscess. Pain and swelling can also arise if the tooth remains untreated. This process can injure your jawbone and is detrimental to your overall health. Without prompt and proper treatment, the tooth may require extraction.
Doesn’t my tooth need the nerve?
The nerve inside of the innermost pulp tissue is vitally important to a maturing tooth. However, after the tooth has emerged or erupted through the gums, the nerve is no longer essential to health and function. In fact, its function is only sensory, providing sensations of heat or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.
Are there any signs to watch for?
Yes, though your tooth may not exhibit any signs of a problem. If you do notice changes, in addition to the above swelling and pain, you may have problems chewing food. Your teeth may be very sensitive, especially in response to hot and cold temperatures. Also, if you notice your tooth is darkly discolored or your gums are tender, contact us.
What will you do during my visit?
Root canal therapy involves up to three visits. In the treatment session, Dr. Westmoreland meticulously and without causing pain extracts the damaged tissue. The inside of the tooth is then sanitized and sealed. The final step involves filling the tooth with dental composite material. He might recommend installing a crown for teeth with significant decay to fortify and safeguard against fractures.
Will it hurt?
Not at Wes Park Family Dentistry! Dr. Westmoreland ensures your tooth is fully numbed and that you are comfortable before beginning the process of removing the damaged parts of the tooth. In fact, he has acquired special training to become qualified in sedation dentistry to help even the most anxious patients relax before treatment. The problems that lead to the need for root canal therapy do not go away on their own. So, if you are concerned about a tooth or are due for a check-up, call our office in Perry, GA, today at (478) 488-3561.
Root Canal
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.
Bryce Westmoreland, DMD
Dr. Bryce Westmoreland earned his BSA in Biological Science with Honors from the University of Georgia and completed his DMD at the Dental College of Georgia, where he also served as Chief Resident during his General Practice Residency. He specializes in implant placement surgeries and restorations and has furthered his expertise through the AAID MAXI course. He and his team are known for their friendly, gentle, and empathetic care, creating a welcoming atmosphere where patients receive the highest quality treatments.
He is a member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.