The idea of having a root canal often results in many people avoiding visits to the dentist. However, this tends to just exacerbate the problem and make root canals more likely. When your teeth have experienced a certain level of decay or damage, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth and prevent the damage from spreading to other areas of your smile. At David G. Johnson, D.D.S., you can be confident that you will receive the appropriate services to restore the health of your smile. Here are a few of the signs that it is time for a root canal.

Ask your Dentist

Ultimately, the only foolproof way to decide if you need a root canal is to ask your dentist. Your dentist will be able to provide a proper examination to determine the extent of damage to your teeth. This will help to ensure that you know the best services to obtain to restore the health of your smile.

Swollen Gums

When your tooth has become infected, it is possible that the gums surrounding the area will become swollen. This swelling indicates that there is a substantial oral health problem. If you notice that you have swollen gums, you will want to ensure that you schedule a dental appointment to identify the underlying cause of the swelling.

Tooth Discoloration

Discolored teeth may indicate that it is time for a root canal. Though staining can cause the teeth to become discolored, nerve damage will also cause discoloration. If the nerves of the tooth become damaged, it may be necessary to have a root canal to prevent the damage from spreading.

Sensitivity to Temperatures

Severely damaged teeth will often become sensitive to variations in temperatures. If you notice severe pain or discomfort when you consume hot or cold foods or beverages, it is possible that you need a root canal to restore the health of your smile. Pay attention to this sensitivity and visit your dentist to have the problem resolved.

Persistent Pain

Damaged teeth can be incredibly painful. If you are experiencing chronic, persistent pain, you will want to ensure that you visit your dentist for a thorough examination. This pain is often an indication that a root canal may be necessary.

Visible Decay

Visible decay indicates that the problem with your tooth has escalated to a larger degree. If you see visible signs of decay, it is essential to have the problem resolved to prevent it from getting even bigger. Visible decay is a certain sign that you need to visit your dentist and may even be an indication that a root canal will be necessary.

If you need a root canal, it is important to have it done quickly to prevent the spread of damage to other areas of your oral health. If you suspect that it is time for a root canal, you will want to obtain the relevant services to minimize problems with your smile. To learn more about the root canal processes or the services that we offer, contact us at David G. Johnson, D.D.S., today!

Root canals are often a necessary part of protecting your smile. In some situations, a root canal is the only alternative to complete extracting a tooth in order to prevent the spread of damage. Understanding the root canal process will often help you to minimize any anxiety you may have. Root canals can be extremely beneficial to protecting the health of your smile. Here is what happens during root canals.

Endodontic Services

The term “endodontic” comes from Greek bases. In Greek, “endo” means inside, while “odont” means tooth. Endodontic services, therefore, are services that target the inside of the tooth. Root canal therapy is a particular type of endodontic service that is used to remove damaged pulp from the inside of a tooth.

What Happens During Root Canals

The root canal process can often be broken down into 6 steps. The first step involves ensuring that the area is thoroughly numbed to prevent discomfort during the rest of the process. During the second step, your dentist drills a tiny hole in the tooth to obtain access to the interior of the tooth. Once they have done this, the third step is to remove the infected pulp and material from the interior of the tooth. The fourth step involves thoroughly disinfecting and cleaning the area to remove any debris or bacteria. After this, your dentist’s fifth step will be to fill and seal the hole in order to prevent it from becoming vulnerable to further damage. The sixth step is restoration, where your dentist will decide to use either a filling or crown to protect the tooth.

There isn’t much downtime after having a root canal. You can expect to be numb for a few hours after your root canal, but most people are able to return immediately to their regular activities and operations. You may need to wait to eat or drink until the numbness has worn off.

Is it Time for a Root Canal?

Understanding the signs that it is time for a root canal will help to ensure that you are able to obtain the ideal services to meet your oral health needs. Many of these signs indicate various oral health problems that need to be resolved by visiting a professional. If you notice pimples have appeared on the gums, the gums have become tender or swollen, or visible decay, you should schedule a visit with your dentist. Additional signs that it is time for a root canal include experiencing significant pain whenever placing pressure on the teeth, extreme discomfort or sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, and teeth that have become chipped or cracked.

The Purpose of a Root Canal

A root canal is a great solution for saving a damaged tooth without requiring it to be extracted. When you have an infected tooth, it may be important to get a root canal to remove all infected material from the tooth. This helps to stop the spread of damage without requiring you to sacrifice the tooth.

The Major Benefits of Root Canals

There are many benefits to having root canals as opposed to extracting your teeth. Root canals enable you to maintain the most natural appearance possible for your smile. It also helps to ensure that you can continue to chew normally, while experiencing the same kind of sensation.

Root canals can provide an array of benefits to your oral health. When you have a root canal, it is often ideal to have the procedure performed by an experienced endodontist. At David G. Johnson, DDS, you can be confident that we are up to the task of performing ideal root canals to protect the health of your smile. To learn more about what will happen with your root canal, as well as how to identify if you need a root canal, contact us at David G. Johnson, DDS today!

Many of us have experienced the unpleasant traditional strategies for taking images of the mouth. These processes generally only provide 2D visuals, which can make it more difficult to obtain accurate treatment. Due to the issues with traditional methods, our office at David G. Johnson DDS implements 3D imaging with our CDCT system. Here are a few of the advantages that come with using 3D imaging for your teeth!

More Comfort

3D imaging is a much more comfortable approach to dental work than prior approaches. As technology advances, endodontic services improve in comfort as well. You don’t have to dread your upcoming appointment with us out of fear of an uncomfortable process. We strive to provide all of the ideal services to make your time with us as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Less Time

This process is much faster than the alternatives. Your appointment can be completed more quickly and efficiently through the use of 3D imaging. The faster your imaging process can be completed, the less time you will have to wait around in the office. This is just one of the benefits of 3D imaging for your teeth.

Better Accuracy

3D imaging tends to be much more accurate than other processes. This ensures that the condition of your oral health can be accurately identified, and obscure issues can be uncovered. This enhanced accuracy can provide an extra level of protection for your oral health.

Improved Treatment

When your endodontist can obtain more accurate information, you will be able to receive better treatment. We strive to provide our patients with the best possible treatment. Our 3D imaging technology enables us to provide better treatment that is accurately targeted to meet all of your specific needs.

Non-Invasive Process

3D imaging is non-invasive. It won’t cause discomfort or pain. This fast, easy process ensures an accurate outcome to benefit your smile. When you work with our experts at David G. Johnson DDDS, you will be able to obtain all of these benefits to meet all of your specific needs.

3D imaging is a far more comfortable process that can be completed more quickly and helps to provide more accuracy. When you receive endodontic services, it is extremely beneficial to ensure that you work with a professional that takes advantage of 3D imaging. For more information about the advantages of our CDCT or how the process works, contact us at David G. Johnson DDS today!