Who performs a root canal?

Your Aspen Dental dentist may perform root canal therapy or refer you to an endodontist, a specialist in treating disease of or injuries to the dental pulp.

Do root canals hurt?
Good news. A root canal procedure is usually no more painful than getting a filling. Modern technology ensures that root canals are performed more quickly and precisely than ever.

How does root canal therapy work?
Root canal therapy involves one or more visits. Here’s what you can expect:

• Numbing the tooth area: Your Aspen Dental care team will work to limit any pain and make you as comfortable as possible.

• Clearing the dental pulp: Your dental provider will enter the tooth through the crown, or top of the tooth, and remove the damaged pulp.

• Filling the canal: After each canal is cleaned, shaped and disinfected, it will be filled with a rubber-like material.

• Placing a temporary filling: You’ll have a temporary filling placed on your treated tooth. You’ll want to avoid biting down or chewing with the affected tooth at this point.

• Receiving a permanent crown or filling: This final step will restore your tooth to its normal shape and function.

What can I expect after a root canal treatment?
Over-the-counter medications can usually treat the mild pain or discomfort you may experience after root canal therapy. But if you experience severe pain or pressure for more than a few days, notice swelling or feel like your bite is uneven, be sure to contact your dental provider.

How long will the restored tooth last?
The health of your tooth at the time of restoration will determine how long it will last. The more extensive the damage, the shorter the lifespan—which is why it is important to contact your Aspen Dental office at the first sign of pain.

When should you talk to your dentist about a root canal?
If you’re experiencing tooth pain or swelling around a tooth, your Aspen Dental doctor will perform a full exam on it. If the cause is inflected or inflamed dental pulp, they will likely talk to you about prompt root canal treatment to save the tooth from extraction.