Root Canal A root canal is a natural space located in the center of the tooth. This space houses the nerves in a soft area called a pulp chamber. This chamber can become infected or damaged and may require a procedure called root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is one of the many restorative efforts used here at Cascade Dental Care to save your natural teeth. Restoration is always our goal. If you are experiencing dental pain, we can help. Symptoms of an Infected Root CanalSome of the common symptoms of a root canal related infection may include tooth pain, sensitivity to heat or cold, swollen gums, a discolored tooth, or a recurring sore. Ignoring these symptoms could result in an infection or loss or extraction of your tooth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you need root canal therapy. How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?Our team can determine if you need a root canal during your first visit. In order to do this, one of our professionals will first need to visually inspect your teeth. This may involve using cold water to locate sensitive areas. You will also get a set of X-rays completed during your visit. If our team determines that root canal therapy is right for you, they will review the procedure with you. One of our team members will then set you up with a follow-up visit to complete the root canal therapy and install a crown. The root canal and crown can sometimes be completed in a single visit. However, crown placement may not occur until a subsequent visit. This depends on your specific case. The goal of a crown is to strengthen the tooth and get you back to enjoying the foods you ate before your dental pain arose. What to Expect During Root Canal TherapyWhen you come in for your follow-up visit, one of our professionals will start the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to ensure that your experience is pain-free. After making sure the tooth is numb, we will then place a protective covering over the area to ensure that the tooth remains clean during the treatment. Next, we will make a small opening in the tooth so that we can access the pulp chamber. This chamber is then cleaned using small, specialized tools. The area is also shaped for a filling. After the area is shaped, the canals will be filled with a specialized material and an adhesive cement to seal the root canals. A temporary filling is placed if your crown cannot be installed the same day. Our professionals will remove the temporary filling before completing the restoration process. After removing the filling, you will be fitted with your new crown or other restoration. Our team will discuss these restorative options with you before scheduling the root canal therapy to ensure that together, we pick the best treatment for you. If tooth pain and sensitivity are taking the joy out of your day, do not wait. Contact our team at Cascade Dental Care as soon as possible. You can reach us at 360-916-4200 or you can come by our office and meet our team. |
 Phone360-916-4200 HoursMon - Wed: 8:00am - 5:00pm Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm Every other Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm |
