A root canal is a necessary treatment that can save your natural teeth and preserve your bite. If you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth, you may need root canal therapy. Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy provide experienced dental care for patients that need a root canal and offer same-day endodontics for emergencies. Our dentist cleans, examines and treats infected or damaged nerve endings in teeth during a root canal procedure.
Advances in materials and techniques have made root canals an easier and more successful treatment, reducing discomfort for patients. We can perform a root canal and place a dental crown to strengthen the tooth all within one visit to our Silver Spring dentist office near you.
Signs That You Need a Root Canal
The term “root canal” refers to the inner region or canal of the tooth that contains the pulp, nerves, and other tissue that supported the development of the tooth. You may need a root canal when the tooth incurs damage and you have an infection in the pulp. Signs may include the following:
- Gum swelling
- An abscess
- Bleeding around the tooth
- Pain in a specific tooth
- Tenderness when biting down
- Pain when chewing food
- Oral discomfort extending from the tooth to the cheek area
- Unusual sensitivity when you touch or chew on the tooth
- White or yellowish patches near the gum line or on the inside of your cheek
These are common signs that you may need a root canal procedure. Other signs may include sudden or increasing tooth sensitivity and changes in the color of your tooth. However, do not assume that you need a root canal treatment before getting a dental exam from your dentist. Dechter & Moy Dentistry provides root canal treatments in our comfortable Silver Spring dental office. Visit us for an exam, and recommendations. We may be able to save your tooth!
Root Canal Therapy in Silver Spring, MD
A root canal treatment involves several steps and is typically no more painful than a dental filling. You will most likely feel relief from your discomfort and tooth pain once the dentist removes the infected pulp. Our dentists in Silver Spring, MD, can complete a root canal in one visit versus two or three office visits. Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy will restore the health and stability of your tooth by removing the infected tooth pulp and replacing it with a biocompatible material.
The root canal process begins after a thorough dental exam. Our dentists will first make sure that you need this procedure rather than a simple dental filling. If you qualify, we will discuss your needs before the procedure and make sure you are comfortable before, during, and after treatment. then we will make you comfortable and numb your mouth using a local anesthetic.
The next step is to create a tiny hole in the back of the infected tooth. This will provide our dentist with access to the inner chamber. Next, he will remove the infected pulp, thoroughly clean the inner root canal, and fill it with a special material. The material hardens to maintain the tooth’s structure. After removing the infection, your dentist will seal the hole to prevent future infection. He may place a dental crown on top of the tooth to further protect it if the damage was extensive enough.
While root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, the procedure itself actually relieves your tooth pain. The pain that you’re experiencing is from the infection and pressure that’s inside the tooth. Once we make the hole and ease the pressure, you will experience much less pain. There will be some soreness after the procedure, but a majority of the pain will dissipate.
One-visit Endodontics Treatment at Dechter & Moy Dentistry
A root canal can save your tooth and avoid the need for extraction and tooth replacement. If you are experiencing tooth pain and are in need of an emergency root canal, Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy can provide same-day endodontics. Using our advanced treatment methods, we can complete the root canal process and seal the tooth in one single visit! We will address your needs and quickly restore your oral health in no time so that you leave our office with a comfortable, pain-free smile.
Once the root canal procedure is complete, we will most likely place a dental crown on top of the tooth to improve the integrity of the tooth structure. Using CEREC technology, we can often complete this within the same visit. We can place a high-quality ceramic or porcelain dental crown immediately following a root canal procedure.
Root Canal FAQs
We understand that patients may have many questions about root canals. To help you out, read the following frequently asked questions to get the answers that you need to make an informed choice.
Does dental insurance cover the cost of a root canal?
Dental insurance can be a valuable asset when it comes to covering the cost of a root canal. However, each dental insurance policy is different. Depending on the policy, dental insurance may cover all or part of the cost of a root canal procedure. It is important to understand what your dental insurance covers and how much you will be responsible for paying out-of-pocket. We will work with you to determine if your benefits will cover any of your treatment costs and to provide an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost.
Can I eat a normal diet after a root canal?
Yes, although in some cases we may recommend that the patient avoid biting down hard on the treated tooth for several days to allow proper healing. After a root canal procedure, it is important that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Eating a normal diet can help speed up the healing process and reduce any discomfort.
However, there are certain foods that you should avoid or eat in moderation to protect the area around the root canal. Avoid foods that are high in sugar or acidic as they can cause inflammation and irritation of the area around the root canal. Additionally, avoid hard foods such as nuts, popcorn kernels, and hard candy as they can damage the newly formed tissue. Eating soft foods such as yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and bananas can help promote healing while providing essential nutrients for recovery.
Does a root canal treatment weaken the tooth?
A dentist only preforms a root canal on already weakened teeth, so teeth in need of a root canal are already decaying. A root canal can help save the tooth from more infection and decay. So in reality, the tooth is already weak and a root canal treatment will only strengthen the tooth.
How long do root canals last?
Root canals typically last anywhere from 10-15 years depending on their placement, and the patient’s diet and oral care. If you add a crown to your root canal it may add time to its lifespan and make it stronger and more durable.