Root Canals: A Highly Beneficial General Dentistry Treatment By Victor Siegel on July 14, 2015

Dr. Siegel is committed to your lifelong oral health, beautiful smile, and full dental function. He proudly offers a complete selection of general dentistry treatments, adapted to meet your health needs and cosmetic goals. Root canal therapy is an important part of our dental care. This procedure is also called endodontic treatment. It is typically appropriate for an infected tooth, and it can save your tooth and restore your healthy bite. A root canal can also prevent widespread damage and other oral health problems. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Siegel performs minimal discomfort procedures, and he offers lifelike dental restorations. Thanks to his expert treatment, you can enjoy dramatically improved oral health and a beautiful smile. To experience root canal therapy benefits for yourself, contact our Rockville practice today.

Is a Root Canal Right for You?

There are two primary reasons for root canal therapy: dental infection and a cracked tooth. Infection affects the soft pulp inside your tooth, and it can cause a diverse range of symptoms. In a few cases, you may not be aware that anything is wrong, and Dr. Siegel will discover the infection during a routine exam. However, in most cases, dental infection causes noticeable symptoms. A toothache is the most common sign that you may need a root canal, although the degree of discomfort can vary. Like some patients, you may experience constant, throbbing pain. On the other hand, you may only feel pain in response to pressure or temperature changes. Other symptoms of dental infection include:

Gum abscesses
Chronic bad breath
Internal discoloration of a single tooth
Facial swelling
Fever

If you have a large crack, but it has not yet spread to your tooth root, endodontic treatment can be a good solution. In some cases, a crack may be visible. In other cases, a hidden crack will cause discomfort, especially when you are eating.

What Happens during a Root Canal?

To perform a root canal, Dr. Siegel will first numb your tooth and gums. Then he will make a small opening in your tooth so that he can clean out the infected pulp. He will also clean out and reshape your root canals. Then your dentist will fill your tooth and the canals with a sealant and natural form of rubber called gutta percha. These materials can prevent bacteria from returning to the inner chamber and roots. Next, Dr. Siegel will reshape your tooth, prepping it to receive a dental crown. In many cases, he can complete your root canal and crown placement in a single appointment by using our CEREC® system to provide a same-day restoration. Once your crown is finished, strong dental composite will keep it firmly anchored to your tooth.

The Advantages of Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy offers numerous benefits for your health, appearance, and dental function. The advantages of this treatment include:

Root canal therapy can save your tooth. Without proper treatment, bacteria will multiply, spreading throughout your tooth.
Endodontic treatment eliminates the need for more extensive treatment. If bacteria are allowed to decimate your tooth, you may eventually require extraction and more extensive restorative treatment. We offer a number of lifelike dental restorations, but even our durable replacement teeth are not as strong as your natural teeth.
A root canal can end your discomfort. Endodontic therapy or extraction may be the only options to eliminate the pain of a toothache.
Root canal therapy will restore functionality. After your procedure, you should be able to bite and chew normally. In many cases, you may even have fully restored dental function the same day as your treatment.
Endodontic treatment can prevent more extensive damage. As infection spreads, it will not only affect the rest of your tooth. Bacteria could also infect your other teeth, your gums, and your jawbone.
Root canal therapy involves minimal discomfort. Like many patients, you may believe that root canal therapy will be painful. However, thanks to Dr. Siegel’s gentle techniques, we can maintain patient comfort throughout the treatment process. Many people compare it to the process of filling replacement.