Root Canal Dentist In Houston, TX

What is a root canal?

During a root canal, our Root Canal Treatment Specialist removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth and fills the pulp cavity with a compound known as gutta-percha. The tooth cavity is completed cleaned and disinfected, preventing an infection that can spread to other teeth. A tooth having undergone a root canal is usually topped with a crown to improve its durability and function.

Why would I need a root canal?

A root canal is performed on a tooth with a pulp that has been damaged by decay, but much of which can still be saved. The pulp is the soft area within the center of your tooth containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. Symptoms that suggest you may need a root canal include:

• Swelling in the area of the affected tooth or that has spread to other areas of the face, head, or neck
• A pimple or pus around the tooth
• An abscess around the tooth
• Visible cracks and painful in the toothaches
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Darkening of the tooth

Does a root canal hurt?

The pain result of not having an Emergency Root Canal Treatment performed is far greater than that produced by the procedure itself.

You’re put under local anesthesia during the procedure, so you really feel no pain. You may have some soreness and sensitivity in the treated area for a day or two afterward, but over-the-counter pain medications usually help.

How do I care for a tooth that’s had a root canal?

Dr. Nguyen gives you complete care instructions for the immediate care following the procedure. Once you’ve had the root canal procedure completed and any crowns or implants placed, you treat the tooth just like you would any natural tooth in your mouth. Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings keep up your oral health so you can avoid the need for future root canal dental care.

About Root Canal Treatment for Teeth: How is a Root Canal Done?

The root canal procedure moves in the following steps:

• First, the dentist will conduct an x-ray exam in order to visualize your mouth and accurately diagnose the disease. This will also allow the dentist to come up with an accurate root canal treatment plan.
• The root canal dentist will attach a rubber dam to your teeth in order to prevent bacterial infection and protect the teeth from saliva.
• The root canal dentist will use an anesthetic solution to numb the tooth so you feel minimal pain and discomfort.
• A device will be used to create an opening through the crown and go straight into the pulp chamber of the tooth.
• The root canal will then use a file to remove all of the infected and unhealthy pulp from within the teeth.
• Once the infected pulp is removed, the root canal dentist will clean and sculpt the canal before inserting the dental filling. However, before doing that, the root canal dentist will have to conduct an irrigation process to remove the debris.
• The root canal dentist will then prepare a dental crown that resembles your teeth. This dental crown may be porcelain, ceramic, or made of metallic alloys. The crown has to be attached in order to protect the sensitive teeth from damage, especially since the pulp has been removed.
• The dental crown will take around 2 to 3 weeks to prepare. In the meantime, you’ll be given a temporary crown and the canal gap will be filled with a dental filling.
• Once the dental crown is made, it will be placed over the affected tooth in order to reinforce and strengthen it.
• The crown will be cemented in place so that it looks and acts like all your other teeth.

Root Canal Procedure After-Care

If you get the best root canal treatment and continue to take care of it, your treated tooth can last you a lifetime. The following are the best root canal procedure after-care tips:

• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Floss on a daily basis.
• Don’t eat or chew on hard food like ice, or use your teeth to open cans.
• Don’t consume too many sweets as it will increase your likelihood of bacterial infections and diseases.
• Be sure to go for regular dental deep cleaning appointments to prevent the growth of bacteria and plaque accumulation.
• Visit your doctor immediately even if you experience simple symptoms like minor or infrequent toothaches and bad breath.
• Always follow the dentist’s treatment advice if they say you’re suffering from some deeper disease. It’s always better to get it treated at the initial stages rather than to let it fester.