Root Canal Treatment

According to the American Dental Association’s most current Survey of Dental Services, about 41,000 root canals are performed every day in the United States, with close to 15 million completed annually. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry for root canal treatment. We are highly qualified and experienced dentists eager to help you with your tooth problem.

Root canals are excellent treatments that can relieve the pain of an infected tooth without causing your smile to be damaged. With a safe, gentle, and effective root canal treatment, Dr. John M. Quinn, Dr. Joseph Wills, and Dr. Paul Leatham want to restore the health of your fantastic smile.

What is a Root Canal?

Endodontics, commonly known as root canal therapy, is a field of dentistry that specializes in treating tooth pain, preserving teeth, and saving smiles. A root canal is a technique that removes the pulp from an infected, cracked, or broken tooth.

The pulp, which contains blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerve fibers, is the soft inner layer of your tooth. It swells when it becomes infected, squeezing the nerves and causing extreme pain. And pain or a tooth abscess (infection) may ensue if you do not treat it promptly.

What is the Purpose of Root Canals?

Here at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry, our number one priority is always to try to save your tooth. A root canal preserves your natural tooth rather than extracting it and replacing it with a prosthetic – such as a bridge or dental implant. If you don’t treat an infected tooth, it will only worsen. A root canal is a safe and effective procedure that promotes good health, and you’ll never have pain in that tooth again once we’ve finished treatment and you’ve recovered. Your tooth will be back to normal after a root canal. If you put off getting a root canal, you could end up with:

Loss of teeth
Infection of the teeth, gums, or jawbone
Swelling of the face, neck, and head
Sepsis

What are the Indications for Needing a Root Canal?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need root canal treatment in Las Vegas, NV.

Toothache that is quite painful
Increased sensitivity to hot and cold
Tooth discoloration or darkening
Gums that are swollen, painful, or irritated
You’ve got a terrible taste in your mouth
An abscess on a tooth
Tenderness or swelling in the lymph nodes under your jaw

What is the Process?

First, you will receive an anesthetic before the procedure to numb the tooth and mouth and ensure your comfort. With today’s technology, you’re unlikely to feel any discomfort during the process. After numbing the area, we’ll isolate the damaged or diseased tooth using a rubber sheet and use a small drill to open the tooth. We will then disinfect, treat, and fill the root canal (the pulp) with a rubber-like substance. Finally, your dentist seals the access hole at the top of your tooth with a filling and restores the tooth’s strength and structure with a dental crown.