Root Canals
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Sauer Dentistry
General Dentistry located in Greenwood, IN
If you experience oral trauma or develop a deep cavity, root canal therapy can relieve the pain, reduce the risk of infection, and prevent the need for an extraction. At Sauer Dentistry, Aaron Sauer, DDS, Whitney Marsh, DMD, and the team offer root canals to people of all ages. To make an appointment at the practice in Greenwood, Indiana, call the office or click the online booking feature today.
Root Canals Q&A
What are root canals?
A root canal is a dental procedure that saves a permanent tooth. Specifically, it involves your Sauer Dentistry provider removing infected or inflamed pulp (a substance that contains nerves and connective tissue) from the center of a tooth.
By removing the pulp from your tooth, it’s possible to relieve your pain and prevent the need for an extraction, resulting in improved oral health and a vibrant, natural smile.
When are root canals performed?
At Sauer Dentistry, the team performs root canals to treat infected or inflamed tooth pulp. These issues can occur for various reasons, including:
- Deep decay
- Undergoing extensive dental work
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Experiencing an oral injury, like a fall
Tooth pulp that’s infected or inflamed doesn’t always present symptoms at first. As the condition worsens, you might experience pain, swelling, or a sensation of heat in your gums.
What do root canals involve?
At Sauer Dentistry, root canals take a single appointment.
First, your provider performs an oral exam and takes digital X-rays to assess your tooth. After developing a treatment plan, your provider numbs your mouth and removes the pulp from the center of your tooth.
Next, your provider fills the center of your tooth with a rubbery material. When the material dries, your Sauer Dentistry provider takes digital impressions of your tooth. They upload your impressions to a computer-aided design (CAD) program and design a custom crown.
After finalizing a design, your provider uploads it to the on-site CEREC milling machine. The machine crafts a custom crown from a block of ceramic. When your crown is finished, your provider bonds it on top of your tooth.
What is recovery like following a root canal?
Following root canal therapy, you might experience some increased sensitivity and mild swelling. In the first few days following treatment, eat only soft foods and take over-the-counter pain medication as necessary. You might also want to use desensitizing toothpaste.
Any discomfort should subside in a few days. If your symptoms persist or get worse, contact the team at Sauer Dentistry right away.
To learn more about root canals, make an appointment at Sauer Dentistry by calling the office or clicking the online scheduling tool today.
