Is it Time to Save Your Tooth
with Root Canal Therapy?

How we do Root Canal Therapy: (Its 1...2...3...)

1. Your visit in our office will begin with a consultation and examination.
   At that time, we will, take diagnostic films, decide whether you could benefit from root canal therapy, and review your treatment options.
2. If root canal therapy is required we will use a local anesthetic to make you comfortable. We will remove the nerve and bacteria from your tooth, eliminate the infection and seal the roots of the tooth.
   You will have no pain during this procedure. Many times we finish your treatment in one visit depending on how long the tooth has had problems.
3. When we have removed the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleansed and shaped the root canal – we seal the tooth.Most treatment is now performed in a single appointment.
   Most patients return to their normal daily routine after treatment.
   Generally, conventional root canal therapy is all that is needed, with a 90 % success rate.
   It is unusual for patients to experience complications after conventional root canal therapy .

Post Operative Instructions

It is normal for your tooth to be sore for the first few days after root canal therapy has been completed.  Initially, soft foods are recommended, as they will provide less discomfort during chewing.

The soreness may continue for up to one week.  Your tooth may feel differently the second or third weeks and by the fourth week, it will feel no different from your other teeth.

We will prescibe the appropriate medication to insure your comfort and recovery.  If you do experience post-operative swelling in the area that was treated, please call our office immediately to speak with Dr. Russell.

 Dental Emergencies

Sometimes, immediate attention is necessary when dental pain becomes too much to bear.  Dr. Russell can relieve that pain with a variety of treatments that can be used in dental emergencies.  Whether the emergency arises from an accident or tooth pain that comes out of nowhere, emergency dental treatments such as sealants, extractions, and a variety of pain suppressants are available here at our office.  Relief is as near as our door if “just a little pain” takes a turn for the worse.

Nitrous Oxide

For millions of people, going to the dentist is an experience they would rather avoid.  But it doesn’t have to be.  Dr. Russell offers nitrous oxide for those patients who have trouble getting over their anxiety.  Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide has a very relaxing effect, which requires just a couple of minutes to dissolve your anxiety.  One of the safest anesthetics around, nitrous oxide can help to allay your fears and relax your whole body before any work on your teeth begins.

Antibiotics and Oral Contraceptives

For female patients, there may be an interaction between antibiotics and oral contraceptives.   If you are presently taking antibiotics or if our office has prescribed them, please use alternative means of birth control for your entire cycle that month.

If you have any questions or concerns following your treatment, please do not hesitate to call our office.  If your call is after office hours or on the weekend, the answering service will page the doctor.

Afterwards:

After the root canal treatment is completed and healed, the permanent restoration of tooth can begin.

The restoration of the tooth is an important part of treatment because it protects the tooth from the oral environment as well as restores its chewing ability.