Root Canal Therapy – Silver Spring, MD

Giving Your Compromised Teeth a Second Chance

We know just how stressful and debilitating tooth pain can be, but it certainly isn’t something that you have to needlessly endure. Dr. Gakavian can utilize root canal therapy to save seriously compromised teeth and easily relieve any pain you might be experiencing. If you’re dealing with unrelenting tooth pain, you shouldn’t wait to contact us today so we can quickly provide you with the care you need.

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy involves the removal of infected tissue from the inside of a compromised tooth. Since these teeth have often sustained irreversible damage, a filling or crown is normally necessary after the root canal procedure to strengthen the tooth and maintain its remaining structure.

But as useful as root canal therapy is, it isn’t used in every situation that involves tooth pain. The procedure is recommended for when a tooth is so severely damaged or decayed that other means of treatment won’t get the job done. You might need a root canal if you’re affected by one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Throbbing dental pain
  • Dental sensitivity to extremely hot or cold temperatures
  • Pain when biting and chewing
  • Swollen, red, or tender gum tissue
  • A pimple-like bump on the gums near the painful tooth

The Root Canal Process

We want this entire procedure to be comfortable for you, so we’ll appropriately numb your mouth before getting started. Once you’re settled in, we’ll make a small hole in your enamel so that the infected tissue can be accessed and eliminated. X-rays can also be taken to ensure that all of the infected pulp has been removed.

Next, the tooth is cleaned and sanitized to make sure it’s free of bacteria. It’s then filled with a biocompatible material before it’s sealed back up with an appropriate restoration. It’s a straightforward process, and for many patients, it feels quite similar to receiving a dental filling in terms of comfort.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

You can expect to enjoy several benefits after receiving root canal therapy, including:

  • Fast pain relief – Since root canal therapy eliminates the source of the problem, you can expect to quickly resume your daily routine without discomfort.
  • Salvages your natural teeth – Tooth retention is one of the primary goals of modern dentistry, and the procedure gives your tooth the absolute best chance to remain in place.
  • Protects your overall oral health – Toothaches aren’t just painful; they also pose a threat to the rest of your oral health if they remain untreated. In this regard, the procedure promotes optimal oral health moving forward.
  • Beautiful, lasting results – Following root canal therapy, a natural-looking restoration like a crown or tooth-colored filling is placed on the tooth to keep its beauty and integrity intact.