Root Canal

Redmond Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry

Dentists located in Redmond, WA & Bellevue, WA

When your tooth is infected or inflamed all the way down to the dental pulp, a root canal procedure can save the tooth from extraction and prevent the infection from spreading to other areas of your body. The dentists at Redmond Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry clean out the infection and strengthen your tooth with a special bonding material so you can keep your tooth for life. Redmond Smiles serves men, women, teens, and children in the Redmond and Bellevue, Washington areas. You can reach the helpful staff by phone, or book an appointment using the online form.

Root Canal Q & A

Why would I need a root canal?

The dental experts at Redmond Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry perform a root canal procedure to save your infected tooth that otherwise might require extraction.

You must be treated as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading. Inflamed tissue can cause an abscess that spreads the infection to the gums and jaw. In severe cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis.

What causes an infected tooth?

Teeth become infected when the protective enamel is damaged in some way, allowing bacteria to pass into the dental pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that can become infected and inflamed.

Your enamel may be damaged by:

Tooth decay
Dental procedures
Cracks or breaks
Other trauma to the tooth

What are the symptoms of a tooth infection?

The following symptoms alert you to a tooth infection:

Pain when chewing
Persistent pain after feeling cold or heat
Severe tooth pain
Discolored teeth
Darkened teeth
Swollen, painful, or lumpy gums

What happens during a root canal?

Your dentist at Redmond Smiles injects local anesthesia near the infected tooth to maximize your comfort. A root canal should be virtually pain-free.

Your dentist takes several steps to save your tooth with a root canal. They:

Drills a small hole in the infected tooth
Cleans out all of the infected tissue
Removes infected pulp and roots, if necessary
Cleans and disinfects the cleared area
Fills the hollow with a rubber-like material to stabilize it
Caps the filled tooth with a crown

Don’t worry if your dentist removed your tooth’s roots during the procedure: You only need adult tooth roots for feeling hot, cold, and other sensations. Your Redmond Smiles dentist prescribes antibiotics to kill any remaining bacteria in your tooth or your system.

What is my tooth like after a root canal?

Your tooth functions like a natural tooth after your root canal. Your Redmond Smiles dentist also ensures that the color of your crown matches your natural teeth.

Don’t delay treatment if you have a toothache. Call the experts at Redmond Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry to schedule a root canal, or book an appointment online, or walk in during office hours.

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