Lewisville Pediatric Dentist | Lewisville Kids Dentistry | Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy

Lewisville, TX PEDIATRIC DENTIST

A root canal is a treatment of the center of the tooth that is inflamed, infected or dead. The center of the tooth, called the pulp, is a soft substance that consists of nerve, blood vessels and connective tissue. Symptoms of the infection include visible injury or swelling of the tooth and sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums. If you experience any of the symptoms, contact your dental office.

Your dentist will take an x-ray of the tooth. If he or she determines that you need a root canal treatment, 1 or 2 appointments will be schedulred based on the size and duration of the abscess and other factors.

Before starting root canal therapy, the doctor will administer local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort. A dental dam is placed on the infected site to isolate the affected area. A small opening is made through the top of the tooth to gain access to the pulp. The pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the root canal, is removed from the chamber and canals. The canals are then cleaned with a disinfecting solution. X-rays may be taken throughout the procedure to ensure each canal is being adequately treated.

Once the canals are cleaned, they are filled with gutta percha, a rubber-like material to protect and seal. A temporary filling may be placed in the opening until it can be replaced by a permanent filling. After the root canal is completed, the tooth will need a crown to protect it from fracturing.

After the procedure, your tooth may feel sensitive for the first few days. This discomfort may be relieved with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until you have a full restoration.

Root canal therapy can preserve a patient’s tooth for a lifetime. It is a highly successful procedure with more than a 95% success rate.

Read Our Lewisville Pediatric Dental News

PEDIATRIC DENTIST in Lewisville, TX

Should You Take Your Child...

November 15th 2023

If you have wondered if it’s ever a good idea to take your child to the emergency room for dental care, you are not alone: The American Dental Association estimates that every 15 seconds, someone goes to the ER for a dental emergency. That’s about 2.2 million patients per year.  We understand that you want...
Read More

Protect Your Child’s Teeth With...

November 1st 2023

During your visit, our dentist may suggest dental sealants for your child. Sealants are a great way to prevent your child from developing tooth decay. Why Sealants?  Sealants are essential to preventing tooth decay. They are applied to the back teeth, in the hard to reach places where decay is most likely to take hold....
Read More

What Parents Should Know About...

October 15th 2023

Teething is a natural occurrence that is necessary for the growth of your child. Although it can be difficult to handle, we have information designed to help you to prepare for this stage in your child’s life.  Common Teething Symptoms  There is a lot of misinformation out there about teething, so it is important to...
Read More