Root Canal Therapy – Pasadena, TX

What Is a Root Canal?

If you have a serious toothache, you might have decay or fracture that has reached the center of your tooth, known as the dental pulp. When this happens, Dr. Nguyen will need to perform a root canal to get you out of pain.

During this procedure, we will create an access hole in your tooth to allow us to reach the pulp. Then, we will remove the decayed or damaged material and clean the area. Next, we’ll fill the inside of the tooth with a gutta-percha compound. Finally, a filling or dental crown is placed atop the tooth to protect it while it heals.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

You might require a root canal if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
• Swelling on one side of your face
• Fever
• Discomfort when biting down or chewing
• Sores or pimple-like growth on your gums

However, only Dr. Nguyen can determine whether you truly need a root canal. You might also end up needing one even if no pain or other symptoms are present. When you visit Dr. Nguyen for a checkup, he’ll take detailed X-rays of your teeth to see if you have an oral infection that needs to be addressed with root canal therapy.

Do Root Canals Hurt?

Dentists far and wide have spent years trying to convince the general public that root canals don’t cause pain. In fact, they actually relieve dental discomfort. The pain commonly associated with root canals is caused by the preceding toothache, not the procedure itself. We will use plenty of local anesthetic to make sure you don’t feel a thing during the procedure. It’s important to note, however, that after your root canal, you might experience some soreness, as is normal for any oral surgery.

Aftercare Instructions

After your root canal is complete, we will most likely prescribe a round of antibiotics to prevent your infection from making a comeback. During this recovery phase, there are a few things you can do to help:

• Take any medications, whether prescribed or over the counter, as directed on the bottle.
• Avoid chewing on the same side of your mouth as the surgical site, since your tooth will be sensitive.
• Apply a cold compress to the side of your mouth to cut down on pain and swelling.

You should start to feel better in a few days to a week at most.