Root Canal Specialist
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Cary Smiles
Rahee Shah, DMD
Family & Cosmetic Dentist & Certified Invisalign Provider located in Parkway Professional Park, Cary, NC
If you experience oral trauma or develop a deep cavity, endodontic treatment, such as root canal therapy, can ease pain, limit the spread of infection, and prevent the need for an extraction. At Cary Smiles, family and cosmetic dentist Jeffrey LaMura, DDS, and his team boast years of experience in endodontics. To make an appointment at the practice in Cary, North Carolina, call the office, or schedule one online today.
Root Canal Q&A
What is a root canal?
Root canal therapy treats problems affecting your tooth pulp. Pulp is a soft substance inside each of your teeth that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp provides nourishment to your teeth and allows you to experience temperature sensations like hot and cold, but it isn’t necessary for their long-term survival.
A root canal can repair a severely damaged, decayed, or diseased tooth. During root canal therapy, your Cary Smiles provider removes the nerve and pulp of the compromised tooth, cleans the affected area, and seals the tooth before topping it off with a custom restoration.
If your tooth pulp develops an infection or it becomes inflamed due to oral trauma, schedule a root canal appointment right away. The sooner you receive treatment, the less likely you are to experience potentially serious complications.
Why would I need a root canal?
The team at Cary Smiles uses root canals to treat problems affecting the tooth pulp caused by:
- Oral trauma
- Untreated cavities
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Extensive dental work
Pulp-related issues don’t always present obvious symptoms early on. If you experience tooth pain, swelling, or a sensation of heat in your gums, contact Cary Smiles right away.
What does root canal therapy involve?
At Cary Smiles, root canal therapy takes a single appointment.
Before moving forward with a root canal, your provider takes digital X-rays and conducts an oral exam. If they identify an infection or a severe cavity, your provider moves forward with treatment.
First, they administer a local anesthetic and make a small access hole in the top of your tooth. Then, your Cary Smiles provider carefully removes the pulp and rinses your tooth out with an antiseptic solution. After cleaning your tooth, your provider fills it with a material called gutta-percha.
When the gutta-percha dries, your provider takes impressions of your tooth. They upload your impressions to a computer program and design a custom crown. After finalizing a design, your provider transfers it to the same-day CEREC® milling machine and manufactures a custom crown.
Once the machine finishes, your provider bonds the crown to the top of your treated tooth and provides care instructions.
What is recovery like following a root canal?
Following a root canal, many people experience mild swelling and increased tooth sensitivity. To minimize any discomfort, the team at Cary Smiles recommends:
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication
- Eating only soft foods for at least 48 hours
- Using a desensitizing toothpaste
- Brushing and flossing gently
To see if you can benefit from a root canal, make an appointment at Cary Smiles by calling the office or booking online today.