Root Canal Treatment
Root canal inflammation or infection is a serious condition that occurs when bacteria enter the area deep inside the tooth called the pulp chamber. This part of the tooth contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissue that keep the tooth healthy and alive. When it gets infected or inflamed, it can cause an excruciating toothache, and the only way to relieve the pain and save the tooth is with root canal treatment.
Signs You Might Need Root Canal Treatment
There are several symptoms of an infected or inflamed tooth:
- Excruciating toothache
- Swollen or inflamed gums
- Pain when eating and chewing
- Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold
- Radiating pain in the jaw or face
- Tooth darkening or discoloration
- A “pimple” or bump on the gums
- A bad odor or taste in the mouth
If you notice any of these signs, please call us as soon as possible. Even if the pain goes away, the cause is not resolved, and it will return with a vengeance. The sooner you seek treatment, the faster you’ll get out of pain, and you will also minimize the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body.
What Root Canal Treatment Involves
Root canal treatment is thought by many to be a painful procedure, but that’s not the case! The fact is that it's the infection that causes such intense pain and root canal treatment is the only procedure that relieves it and saves the tooth from extraction.
A Numb Tooth Means No Pain!
Once your dentist determines that your tooth is infected, they will recommend root canal treatment. The first step is to use a strong local anesthetic to numb the tooth and ensure that you won’t feel any pain. We also offer nitrous oxide or laughing gas to help you relax throughout your appointment.
Removing Infected Pulp
While the tooth is numb, your dentist accesses the inside of the tooth and carefully and methodically removes the infected or inflamed pulp. They then fill the hollow area to prevent reinfection and seal the tooth. The final step is to place a temporary filling to protect the tooth as it heals.
It’s common to experience some soreness for a day or two after root canal treatment. However, taking over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen should be sufficient to provide relief.
Placing Your Final Crown or Tooth Filling
About two weeks after root canal treatment, you’ll return to our Woodbury, MN, dental office for a follow-up appointment. At this time, your dentist will check the tooth and either place a final filling or recommend a dental crown, depending on the tooth's location.
Since its supporting structures are intact, a tooth with a root canal can last a lifetime when cared for properly. Brush twice a day, floss once, and visit our dental hygienist every six months for professional teeth cleanings.
Do You Think You Need Root Canal Treatment?
If you have severe tooth pain or other symptoms of a root canal infection, please call our Woodbury, MN, dental office, and we’ll arrange to see you the same day to provide relief.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Michael Pelke
Dr. Michael Pelke is an owner and most senior dentist at Woodbury Dental Care. He started in private practice in 2002 and teamed up with Dr. Kyle Edlund in 2004. ...
Dr. Emily Wernberg
Dr. Emily Wernberg was born and raised in Eagan, Minnesota. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology and biology. She decided to continue ...
Dr. Stephanie Wenzel
Dr. Stephanie Wenzel is a third-generation dentist who, along with her father and grandfather, attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology and ...
Dr. David Augustson
Dr. David Augustson was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He moved to Minnesota to attend Macalester College, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.
Before attending dental school, ...
Dr. Charles Shimota
Dr. Chip Shimota was born and raised in Woodbury, Minnesota. Just as any other lifelong WDC patient would do, he chose to spend the next eight years of his life ...
Root Canal Treatment Technology
Digital X-Rays
Dental x-rays are necessary because they allow our dentists to plan the safest, most appropriate treatment for each patient’s individual needs. At Woodbury Dental Care, we use low-dose digital x-rays because they reduce radiation exposure by about 80 percent compared to film x-rays.
Digital x-rays also provide more precise and detailed images than traditional x-rays, making diagnosing and planning treatment accurate and efficient. Sharing digital x-ray images is easy and allows patients to visualize the need for and benefits of the proposed treatment.
Patient x-rays are stored on our secure in-house network and are easy for our team to access as needed. And, since we don’t need to dispose of any hazardous chemicals, digital x-rays are better for the environment.