Root Canal Therapy in McDonough

Root canal therapy involves the precise removal of nerve tissue and blood vessels, as well as the decontamination of the tooth’s pulp chamber after irreparable microbial damage has taken place. At McDonough Center for Family Dentistry, we perform state-of-the-art root canal treatment, effectively eliminating a patient’s pain and discomfort due to the damaged tooth, while taking full advantage of all advances in dental technology, innovation and education to ensure a successful, comfortable procedure.

Many root canal treatment procedures can be completed in only one visit! If you think you may be in need of high-quality root canal therapy, call the experts at our McDonough, GA office at (678) 432-0209 or schedule a dentist appointment online today.

Who performs endodontic treatment of the root canal?

During dental school, all types of dentists are trained in endodontic procedures, or root canal therapy. Your general dentist currently has the capability to administer endodontic treatments, though most dental clinics refer patients to a separate specialist called an endodontist. At McDonough Center for Family Dentistry, we have trained specialists in-house who can administer root canal treatment at our convenient, comprehensive practice.

Endodontists have received extensive training in endodontic procedures and as a result have become root canal specialists. After they finish dental school, endodontists partake in an additional two years of advanced training, granting them the credentials to perform complex endodontic surgeries.

How does endodontic treatment, like a root canal, work?

Inside your teeth, beneath the strong, white enamel and the dentin, lies a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp stretches from the crown of the tooth way down into the tissues that encompass the root. Your dentist will recommend root canal therapy when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, which can occur after extreme decay from cavities, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or a break in the tooth.

If pulp damage is left untreated by root canal specialists, it can cause pain, sensitivity, discoloration of the tooth or an abscess. During root canal treatment, the endodontist removes the infected pulp by carefully cleaning and shaping the inside of your tooth, and then filling and closing the space. After root canal therapy, you will visit your general dentist, who will place a crown on the affected tooth to protect and restore it. When the tooth is completely restored, it will function like any other tooth when you talk, chew food and smile.

Will root canal therapy hurt?

Typically, patients receive endodontic procedures because they are suffering from toothaches caused by pulp infection, and the procedures are designed to relieve this pain. With the help of modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they feel minimal pain and are comfortable during root canal treatment.

For a short time following your root canal, you may feel sensitivity, which can be relieved with over-the-counter medications or medicines prescribed by your dentist. Remember to follow your root canal specialist’s instructions precisely. If you feel prolonged, severe pain or extreme pressure, call us at (678) 432-0209 or schedule an appointment online.

Will the tooth require special care or additional treatment?

Until your tooth has been restored by your general dentist, we do not advise chewing or biting on the treated tooth, as it may be prone to fracture. After completing root canal treatment, your newly-restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth; however, in some cases, the treated tooth heals unsuccessfully. It is possible for the tooth to become re-infected in the months or years after undergoing root canal therapy. While this rarely occurs, another root canal can quickly save the tooth and, ultimately, your smile.

Root Canal Treatment at McDonough Center for Family Dentistry

Complete root canal treatment is performed over the duration of either one or two office visits. The experts at McDonough Center for Family Dentistry are experienced in effective and painless root canal therapy – so don’t hesitate to visit our practice if you’re suffering from prolonged tooth pain. If you do need the help of our root canal specialists, your subsequent visits will include the following steps:

  • Our highly-trained endodontist, Dr. Didato, DMD, will examine and conduct an X-ray of the affected tooth. After administering anesthesia, he will then use a “dental dam,” or protective sheeting, to isolate the tooth, keeping it clean and saliva-free during your root canal treatment.
  • He will then drill an opening in the crown of the tooth using small instruments. This will clean the pulp from the chamber and the root canal and will also shape the space for the filling.
  • After the space is cleaned, he will fill the root canal with “gutta-percha,” a biocompatible and malleable material, which is mixed with an adhesive cement to complete the temporary sealing of the root canal.

Again, after your final visit with the endodontist, it is important for you to make an appointment to visit your regular dentist. He or she will remove the temporary filling and place a crown on your tooth to begin protection and restoration, completing your root canal therapy.

High-quality root canal treatment performed by our experienced team of general dentists and root canal specialists can greatly reduce dental pain and discomfort. To learn more about root canal therapy, call our McDonough, GA office at (678) 432-0209 or contact our practice online to see how we can help restore your smile.

We look forward to getting to know you and your family!