Root Canal Salem, OR
We understand “root canal” can be a scary phrase for dental patients to hear and that root canal treatment doesn’t come with the best reputation. Patients often assume it’s a painful procedure or will be an awful experience. However, in most cases, root canals are a comfortable procedure that will help ease your pain and save your tooth from having to be extracted. The bad reputation surrounding root canal treatment seems to stem from the pain and discomfort patients experience before the procedure due to the fact their tooth is infected and, in some cases, abscessed.
Over the years, there have been many advances in root canal therapy and our Salem, OR dentist Dr. Igor Sitnik, DMD makes sure to stay up to date on these improvements. He can typically save an infected tooth using root canal therapy in just one or two appointments. At Sitnik Dental, our top priority is ensuring you have a comfortable, relaxing experience during all your dental treatments. We’re proud to use state-of-the-art technology to make root canal treatment more efficient and provide patients with a pleasant experience.
How Does a Tooth Infection Start?
The outside of your tooth is covered by a hard layer of enamel that protects a softer layer underneath called the dentin. The interior of your tooth beyond the dentin is known as the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber contains the important blood vessels, tissue, and nerves that are necessary to keep your tooth alive and healthy.
While the hard exterior of your tooth does a great job protecting the softer, more fragile interior, a deep cavity or damage to the tooth through an injury can allow bacteria to creep into the inner chamber of your tooth and cause infection. The reason root canal infections can be so painful is because they occur in the same area that the nerves of your tooth are located. This is also why many patients experience pain and sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages while the tooth is infected.
What Will Happen If I Don’t Get a Root Canal?
If root canal treatment is not performed, the infection will spread (causing more severe pain) and eventually compromise the overall health of the tooth. Once the tooth is compromised, extraction will be necessary. So, it’s important if you’re experiencing any tooth pain, sensitivity, or other symptoms that you see your Salem dentist as soon as possible to determine the best course of treatment and if your situation requires a root canal.
What To Expect During The Root Canal Procedure
The purpose of the root canal procedure is to eradicate the infection inside your tooth and preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. Here’s what you can expect during root canal treatment with our Salem, OR dentist Dr. Sitnik.
Making You Comfortable
The first step in the procedure is to make sure your tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic. This will provide you with immediate relief from your pain and ensure a more pleasant experience while we work on your tooth. If you’ve opted for any dental sedation, we’ll make sure you are relaxed and ready to go before we start the procedure.
Removing the Infection & Sealing the Tooth
Our dentist in Salem, OR will start by drilling a small hole in your tooth to gain access to the interior chamber of the tooth where the infection is present. With special equipment and a gentle touch, Dr. Sitnik will carefully remove all traces of infected material from inside the tooth.
Once the tooth is free of infection, it will be thoroughly disinfected and filled with a substance called gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is a rubbery material used to fill the hollowed-out space inside your tooth and strengthens the structure of the tooth. After that is applied, the tooth will be sealed and a temporary filling placed until you can return to our office for a more permanent restoration.
Restoring the Tooth
After about two weeks of healing time, you’ll return to our Salem dental office for the final step in the process. While having a root canal can save the structure of your natural tooth, removing the infected material can weaken the integrity of the tooth so it’s important to protect it with a restoration such as a dental crown.
Dental crowns are made from hard, durable materials such as porcelain and completely cover the exterior of your tooth down to the gum line. Crowns are a great way to surround the existing tooth and strengthen it so you can enjoy normal oral function again for many years to come.
Think You May Need a Root Canal? Contact Us!
If you’re suffering from a toothache or recently experienced an injury or trauma to a tooth, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible so we can determine the cause of your pain and the extent of the damage. Our experienced dentist and staff will provide the best course of action to treat your symptoms and ease your pain. If it is determined you need a root canal, Dr. Sitnik and his staff are happy to answer any questions you have about the procedure and will work with you to get it scheduled as soon as possible so you can enjoy a pain-free tooth once again.
Suffering from severe tooth pain or sensitivity? You may need a root canal. Call Sitnik Dental in Salem, OR today at (503) 363-5962 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Igor Sitnik, DMD!