A root canal is a dental procedure used to repair and save a severely damaged or decaying tooth. At times, the decay can impact the soft tissue (pulp) inside your tooth causing infection and/or abscess which often leads to throbbing pain and swelling. If left untreated, the decay can spread to the bone and lead to the loss of the tooth. For these reasons, Dentistry on Carmel will recommend a root canal be performed in order to save the tooth (or teeth).

A root canal can usually be performed in the dental office and can often be completed in one visit. Much like a filling, local anesthesia is used to numb pain so you will not feel the procedure. After the procedure is complete, the pain associated with the “sick” tooth will be gone and any discomfort you experience should only last a couple days. At Dentistry on Carmel, we care very much about your comfort and will do everything possible to help your experience be a relaxed one!

After the root canal has been completed and the tooth has healed for several days it is recommended that a crown be placed on the tooth.  Without a crown the tooth is week and fragile, leaving the tooth vulnerable to break and potentially making the tooth in need of an extraction.

Once the procedure is complete and your tooth has healed, the restored tooth should last a lifetime with proper care. If you have questions about whether you are a root canal candidate, please call Dentistry on Carmel and schedule an appointment!