Root Canals

Root Canals in Hampden CO

Root canals are perhaps the most intimidating procedures in modern dentistry, with a reputation for being painful and incredibly stressful. While most people are terrified of the procedure, very few understand what it is and what it entails.

We’ve compiled this short guide to help our patients understand what a root canal entails and why it’s significantly less scary than you may imagine.

Who Needs a Root Canal?

Many tooth infections are infections of the nerves at the root of the tooth. Unfortunately, in many instances, antibiotics struggle to reach the root, making them ineffective at fighting tooth infections. If left untreated, an infected nerve can form an abscess, which will eat away at the jaw bone.

Tooth infections can be the consequence of tooth decay or small cracks or fractures in the tooth that have allowed bacteria to penetrate the nerve. Poor oral hygiene can also contribute to the circumstances that promote tooth infections.

The only reliable way to treat a tooth infection is to remove the infected root. The procedure is called a root canal because we drill a canal down through your tooth to the nerve, allowing us to remove the nerve and clean out the infected area.

The Process

While root canals used to be scary, painful procedures, modern dental techniques and medicine have made it significantly less painful. In many cases, our patients don’t report any pain during the procedure and only mild pain afterward.

As with any other procedure in our clinic, we first start with a consultation that includes a thorough dental exam to check for potential complications and to make the recommendation to conduct a root canal. We’ll then schedule a date that suits you for the procedure.

On the day of the root canal, we’ll apply a strong local anesthetic to the area to ensure your comfort. We’ll drill down into the tooth, remove the infected nerve tissue, and then clean the canal as well. After that, we’ll use a specialized filling to fill up the hole.

In many instances, we’ll recommend using a crown to seal off the tooth. Not only does this improve the appearance of the tooth, but it will also minimize the chances of subsequent infections after the root canal.

We’ll also provide you with after-care instructions to maximize the chances of success, and if necessary, provide you with painkillers for the next few days. However, we have found that many patients only need over-the-counter medication to manage their pain.

If you experience any undue pain or discomfort, we recommend scheduling a follow-up consultation so that we can examine the underlying causes and address them immediately.

Schedule Your Root Canal Today

Tooth pain can affect every facet of your life, from eating and drinking to speaking. While a root canal sounds scary, it’s will often provide fast relief that will allow you to get your life back on track. Our top-rated dental practice provides reliable, stress-free root canals in Hampden, so if you have any tooth pain, don’t hesitate to call us today to schedule a consultation!