There is probably no more misunderstood procedure in dentistry than a root canal. People often think it’s terribly painful and extremely time-consuming. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. With root canal, San Antonio residents can look forward to eliminating the pain of an infected tooth in about the time it would take to fill a cavity.
What is a root canal?
Root canal, also called root canal therapy, is a dental procedure that removes the interior portion of a tooth that has been rendered obsolete by infection. Normally, this area—called the pulp chamber and its root canals—is well protected by the two other layers of a tooth. Enamel is the hard outer layer that you can see, and underneath that is dentin, a slightly softer and more sensitive layer. When these two layers are breached by decay or a crack, bacteria can enter the pulp chamber. As infection develops, the nerve, lymph and blood tissue in this space die.
Moreover, the inflammation inside the tooth is indescribably painful for most people. For others, however, the pain might be tolerable. In either case, it’s very important to see your dentist in San Antonio for any toothache.
In San Antonio, Root Canal is a Process
Performing a root canal in San Antonio is a step-by-step process that Dr. Kadamani is very skilled at. The tooth and surrounding area are given a local anesthetic. Then, she carefully drills a small hole—usually in the chewing surface of the tooth—in order to access the pulp chamber and root canals. Special instruments are used to remove the contents and clean and disinfect the area.
To prevent bacteria from re-entering the chamber, it is filled with gutta-percha, a biocompatible material that expands to fill the space. This portion of root canal therapy in San Antonio concludes with Dr. Kadamani sealing the tooth and preparing it for a dental crown. An oral antibiotic may be prescribed to ensure that the infection is completely gone. After root canal, there may be some slight discomfort. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen should be sufficient.
Once Dr. Kadamani is certain that the infection has been eliminated, you’ll return to our office to have a customized crown placed over the tooth.
Call Our Office Today
If you or a family member ever has a toothache, then contact Laith Family Dentistry in San Antonio as soon as possible. Tooth infection can be a very serious condition that may become life threatening if ignored.
