Root Canal in Lutherville-Timonium

Root Canal in Lutherville-Timonium

Eliminate Infection & Save Your Tooth with Dr. Kreisheh

If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling around your tooth, you might need root canal therapy to put an end to these uncomfortable symptoms. Root canal therapy is a routine dental procedure that can save your tooth and relieve you from excruciating pain. At Charm City Smiles, we understand this dental procedure can be daunting, but our experienced team is dedicated to making your experience as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible.

Our Lutherville dentist, Dr. George Kreisheh, is passionate about relieving your pain, saving your tooth, and getting you back on track to excellent dental health. Discover how root canals help patients achieve healthy smiles every day.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure aimed at treating infections or damage that affect the inner pulpof your tooth, which contains nerve vessels and connective tissue. This procedure can help save a severely infected tooth, prevent further complications, and alleviate pain.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

  • Persistent Pain: If you’re experiencing constant and severe pain in a tooth, especially when you bite down or apply pressure, it could be a sign of an infected pulp that requires root canal therapy.
  • Sensitivity to Hot and Cold: Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lingers even after the stimulus is removed might indicate pulp inflammation or infection.
  • Gum Swelling and Tenderness: Swollen and tender gums around a specific tooth can point to an infection that has spread to the surrounding tissues.
  • Darkening or Discoloration: A tooth that has become noticeably darker or discolored compared to the rest of your teeth might be an indication of pulp damage or infection.
  • Pimple on the Gums: The presence of a pimple-like bump on your gums, accompanied by pus or a bad taste in your mouth, could signal an abscessed tooth requiring a root canal.
  • Prolonged Pain After Dental Procedures: If you’ve undergone dental work such as fillings or crowns and experience lingering pain, it might be a sign of underlying pulp issues.
  • Radiating Pain: Pain that radiates from one tooth to another or your jaw and ear can indicate an infected tooth pulp.

The Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Root canal therapy involves several steps to remove the infected pulp from the tooth, clean the area, and seal it to prevent future infections. The procedure is carried out over a few visits to our Lutherville dental office.

Diagnosis and X-Rays

Before the procedure, your dentist will conduct a thorough examination and take X-rays to determine the extent of the infection and plan the treatment accordingly.

Removing the Infected Pulp

To ensure your comfort during the procedure, Dr. Kreisheh will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. An access hole will be drilled into the tooth, providing Dr. Kreisheh access to the infected pulp. He’ll then carefully remove the infected pulp from the tooth’s pulp chamber and canals.

Cleaning and Shaping

Once the infected pulp is removed, Dr. Kreisiheh will clean and disinfect the pulp chamber and canals. They will also shape the canals to prepare them for filling.

Filling the Canals

The cleaned and shaped canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. This material seals the canals, preventing the entry of bacteria.

Restoring the Tooth

After filling the canals, our Lutherville dentist seals the access hole with a temporary or permanent filling. In some cases, a dental crown may be placed to strengthen the tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is root canal therapy painful?

While the procedure itself is performed with the patient under anesthesia and is generally painless, you might experience mild discomfort during the recovery period. You can manage this pain using ice and over-the-counter pain medication.

How long does root canal therapy take?

The duration varies based on the tooth’s complexity, but it typically takes one to two visits of about 90 minutes each. Your dentist will provide an estimate of the timeline during your initial consultation.

What should I expect after the procedure?

You might experience some sensitivity or mild discomfort for a few days, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience excessive pain, contact your dentist, as this could indicate a problem with the tooth.

Is there an alternative to root cananl therapy?

The primary alternative is tooth extraction, but dentists will opt to preserve natural teeth whenever possible. Root canal therapy protects your jawbone health while maintaining your appearance.

A Lifesaver for Your Smile with Dr. Kreisheh

Root canal therapy is a vital dental procedure that can save your tooth from extraction and alleviate pain caused by infections. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or suspect an infection, contact our Lutherville dentist promptly to determine if root canal therapy is the right solution for you.

Call 410-913-5700 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your appointment at Charm City Smiles. We’re proud to serve the Timonium community and its surrounding areas, such as Brooklandville, Hampton, and Towson.