The Root Canal Therapy Process
Root canal therapy can be completed in as little as two appointments: one for the actual procedure and another to place a protective dental crown. You may need multiple appointments to ensure your tooth is treated properly depending on your case.
Cleaning the Infection
Before your procedure, Dr. Gabriel may take scans of your tooth to map out your root canal. You’ll also receive a local anesthetic and sedation to ensure you won’t feel any pain during your treatment. Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Gabriel will make a tiny hole in your tooth and use accurate dental tools to remove all the infected material from inside the structure. If any nerves or tissue is left inside your tooth, they can become reinfected.
After your tooth has been cleared, Dr. Gabriel will send an impression of it to the lab to create a permanent dental crown. A temporary crown will be provided until it’s ready and delivered.
Placing the Dental Crown
When your permanent dental crown is ready, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to come back for your second visit. Dr. Gabriel will remove the temporary crown and thoroughly clean the tooth. He’ll then fill it with a putty-like material called gutta-percha to stabilize it. Then, Dr. Gabriel will fill the small hole and securely place your permanent crown.
Tooth Extractions
In some severe cases, root canal therapy may not be enough to save your tooth. If this happens, a tooth extraction may be necessary to completely remove the infection and save your oral health from further complications. Dr. Gabriel will try his hardest to remove your natural tooth, and only recommend tooth extraction as a last resort.
If this is the case, our office also offers natural-looking tooth replacement solutions to keep your smile looking beautiful after your extraction. That way, you can be confident in knowing you’ll have an enhanced smile.