Each year, dentists perform over 14 million root canals to help patients from losing their natural teeth to infection or inflammation. At Georgetown Advanced Dentistry in Washington, DC, Sinclair Davis, DDS, Diana Diaz, RDH, and the team perform root canals safely to prevent the need for bridges or implants. If you have symptoms of a tooth infection or inflammation, call Georgetown Advanced Dentistry, or book an appointment online to find out if you need a root canal today.

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What are root canals?

Root canals are commonplace endodontic procedures to remove the inside pulp from a painful tooth. The pulp inside your tooth consists of soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. If it becomes inflamed or infected, you can eventually lose your tooth. Root canals allow you to keep your original tooth and only lose the inner pulp.

During a root canal at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry, your dentist makes a hole in the tooth in question to access the soft tissue inside. They remove the soft tissue using tiny tools through the hole, leaving an open space on the inside.

Your dentist sanitizes the space inside your tooth to prevent further infection from any remaining bacteria. Once the space inside your tooth is clean, they replace the pulp with a rubber-like material.

How can I tell if I need a root canal?

Infection or inflammation can occur because of a traumatic injury to your tooth, deep decay, or minor chips and cracks. You know something is wrong because of the uncomfortable symptoms that occur. You should book an appointment at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry to find out if you need a root canal if you experience:

  • Extreme tooth sensitivity
  • Tooth pain upon biting down
  • Visible chips or cracks
  • Swollen gums
  • Small bumps on your gums
  • Darkening gum color

The team at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry assesses the tooth and might take X-rays to see the extent of the damage. Using this information, they plan your root canal treatment.

What happens after my root canal treatment?

Complications are very rare after root canal treatments, but you should continue brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and protecting your teeth from injuries to the best of your ability. This may involve wearing a mouthguard to play sports or avoiding solid candies, ice cubes, and other objects.

The team at Georgetown Advanced Dentistry sends a record of your root canal treatment to your restorative dentist or creates your custom restoration in the office to reinforce the tooth. If you notice anything unusual after your root canal, contact Georgetown Advanced Dentistry for an evaluation.

Without treatment, tooth infections or pulp inflammation can cause widespread problems in your mouth, including tooth loss. To avoid costly repairs and treatments, call Georgetown Advanced Dentistry, or book a consultation online today.