Root Canals Specialist
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Hillcrest Family Dentistry
General and Cosmetic Dentistry & Smile Direct Club located in Drayton, SC
Each year, more than 15 million Americans undergo root canal therapy. This quick, pain-free procedure preserves the hard exterior of your tooth, preventing the need for an extraction. At Hillcrest Family Dentistry, general and cosmetic dentist Jas Bhattal, DDS, and the team perform root canals on an outpatient basis. To request an appointment at the Drayton, South Carolina, practice, book online or call the office today.
Root Canals Q&A
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats damaged or infected tooth pulp, a soft material in the center of your tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. Pulp allows you to feel temperature changes and helps your tooth grow, but it isn’t necessary for long term oral health.
By removing inflamed or injured pulp, the tough outer structure of your tooth (enamel) can remain intact without the need for an extraction or other more complicated procedures.
What types of problems can root canals address?
At Hillcrest Family Dentistry, the team uses root canals to address damaged or infected tooth pulp. Common causes of pulp-related problems include:
- Severe decay due to cavities
- Chips and cracks
- Undergoing several procedures on a single tooth
- Falling or getting hit in the mouth
If you regularly experience tooth pain, increased sensitivity, or a sensation of heat in your gums, don’t wait to seek professional treatment.
What do root canals involve?
At Hillcrest Family Dentistry, root canals require two appointments.
During your first visit, the team conducts an oral exam, reviews your dental health history, and asks about your symptoms.
They then take X-rays of your mouth with the on-site computed tomography (CT) machine and assess the condition of your affected tooth. If they detect damage or infection in your pulp, they administer a local anesthetic.
The team carefully removes the infected or inflamed pulp from the center of your tooth and rinses it out using a medical-grade antiseptic solution.
Afterward, they fill your tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha and take impressions of your tooth. Lastly, a temporary crown is applied.
The team sends your impressions to a laboratory that manufactures a permanent dental crown. Approximately a week later, you visit the office for your second appointment.
The team removes your temporary crown, assesses your tooth, and bonds the permanent crown in place. The final restoration allows you to bite and chew confidently.
Are root canals painful?
Root canals are safe and typically well-tolerated. Thanks to modern treatment techniques and dental tools, most people experience no discomfort during the initial procedure.
After the anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to experience some mild pain and increased sensitivity, but this should subside within 24 hours.
If necessary, take over-the-counter pain medication or apply ice to your cheek. Continue to floss and brush as normal but do so gently around your treated tooth.
To learn more about root canals, request a consultation at Hillcrest Family Dentistry. Book an appointment online, or call the office to speak with a member of the administrative staff today.
