☰
815.477.2273Book an Appointment
× Close
815.477.2273Book an Appointment
Pain relief and improved oral health
A root canal is a treatment used to save a tooth that is badly decayed and/or infected. Nerve and pulp, the soft area within the center of the tooth, can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. In reality, most patients report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. The discomfort experienced in the period leading up to dental care is truly the painful period of time, not the root canal procedure itself.
Signs you may need a root canal:
- Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed)
- Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
- A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
- Sometimes no symptoms are present
What should you expect after a root canal?
The root canal procedure should relieve the pain you feel. Until your root canal procedure is completely finished – that is to say, the permanent filling is in place and/or the crown is placed, it is wise to minimize chewing on the tooth under repair. This step will help avoid re-contamination of the interior of the tooth and also may prevent a fragile tooth from breaking before the tooth can be fully restored. For the first few days following completion of treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure.
As far as oral health care is concerned, brush and floss as you regularly would and see your dentist at normally scheduled intervals. The final step of the root canal procedure is application of a restoration such as a crown, to cover and protect the tooth.
Why choose Dartmoor Dental for root canals
With our team at Dartmoor Dental, you can rest assured that our commitment to high-quality care puts your goals and comfort first. We treat you like family and always recommend the most appropriate care options like root canals when needed, to keep you smiling in the years to come.
Book an Appointment
Elodie Sabatino Apr. 7, 2023
We have been going to Dartmoor Dental for almost 10 years. My oral and dental health went massively downhill after my pregnancies, I went from never having any issues besides the rare cavity to gettin... Read More
Randy Schietzelt Jul. 25, 2021
I have been a patient for a couple of decades, and I could not be happier with Dr. Dave. He does a lot of preventative work. I have not had any major surgeries, root canals, crowns, etc. during that ... Read More
Diane Sundberg Mar. 31, 2024
I've seen Dr. Dave for about 30 years. I saw Dr. Malik recently for the first time. He was just great as well. I really like this practice. Everyone there is just great.
×
Elodie Sabatino Apr. 7, 2023
We have been going to Dartmoor Dental for almost 10 years. My oral and dental health went massively downhill after my pregnancies, I went from never having any issues besides the rare cavity to getting a dental implant after a molar with an old filling broke one day. Denise, the hygienist always takes great care of my teeth during the cleaning appointments. She is very careful to not cause any discomfort and is very friendly as well.During the first 2 years of the Covid19 pandemic i skipped my routine cleanings and any dental appointment due to health concerns related to a medical condition I have. I came back to discover a complete disaster in my mouth and i have needed a tremendous amount of work done over the past 15 months (a root canal, several crowns, multiple fillings and maintenance... you name it!) so i have spent a lot of time on Dr Dave's chair getting everything stabilized, more than i'd like to admit.Dr Dave has done a great job fixing my teeth, i rarely if ever experienced any disconfort during or after the various treatments. Even the anesthesia is smooth as he uses his buzzer to "distract the nerve".Now that all the tough work is done, i can finally get that crown placed on top of my implant next year and i wouldn't go anywhere else but Dartmoor Dental to get it done. I also appreciate the ladies assisting Dr Dave who are always very friendly and good company while waiting for the anesthetics to kick in.Kuddos to the ladies at the front desk, always friendly and helpful with questions i have or billing purposes. They even work with me when insurance claim payments lagged behind once i got into rollover benefits to cover my treatments.My husband and I look forward to continue getting our dental care in this practice, as we know we'll be getting high quality work done. Our children will soon be coming there as they are getting older and no longer need to see the pediatric dentist.
×
Randy Schietzelt Jul. 25, 2021
I have been a patient for a couple of decades, and I could not be happier with Dr. Dave. He does a lot of preventative work. I have not had any major surgeries, root canals, crowns, etc. during that time (now 63 years old). And my teeth are great. I highly recommend Dartmoor Dental.
×
Diane Sundberg Mar. 31, 2024
I've seen Dr. Dave for about 30 years. I saw Dr. Malik recently for the first time. He was just great as well. I really like this practice. Everyone there is just great.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
While root canals cannot be avoided once a tooth is damaged, you can help prevent them with regular dental check-ups and cleanings to catch issues early on. Adopt a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice daily and flossing to keep decay at bay.
A root canal typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes per tooth. However, the exact duration can vary depending on the complexity of the tooth's anatomy and any additional procedures needed. Our skilled dental team is committed to ensuring your comfort and providing efficient care throughout the process.
