What can Owensboro area patients expect before, during, and after root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is a typical procedure done when the dental pulp has become diseased or infected. This may occur due to trauma, extreme tooth decay, or an abscess. Many patients need to undergo root canal therapy to save their natural tooth and avoid extraction and restoration. At Thompson and Frey Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Owensboro, we provide patients with root canal therapy when necessary, and help our patients better understand the procedure so they know what to expect before, during, and after their treatment.

Before
Patients may be experiencing pain and discomfort in a tooth, which convinces them to make an appointment with our dental team for an evaluation. Once it has been determined through x-rays and evaluation that root canal therapy is necessary to maintain the patient’s health and keep them comfortable, an appointment is made for the treatment. This may be the same day or within a few days. If patients are unable to undergo the treatment the day they visit the dentist for the consultation, they are given appropriate prescription medications for the pain until their treatment time.

During
Patients arrive at the practice for their root canal therapy and they are given local anesthetics to numb the area. The dentist drills into the tooth to access the center portion and remove the dental pulp. The pulp protects the blood vessels, nerves, and tissues of the tooth. Once removed, the inner area of the tooth cavity is cleaned and disinfected, and gutta percha is used to fill and seal off the tooth.

After
After the root canal therapy has been completed, impressions are made of the tooth so that a dental crown can be fabricated with the CEREC technology available in-house. This crown is placed after the root canal to protect the weakened tooth structure and prevent further damage or destruction.

Patients in the Owensboro area who are considering treatment for pain and discomfort and believe they may be candidates for root canal therapy are encouraged to contact their local dental practice for a physical evaluation and determine if periodontal therapy is necessary for maintaining their dental health.