Root Canal in Frederick MD - Your path through Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy has received some "bad press" over the years. Most patients who come to us for a root canal in Frederick MD have heard at least one story that said this treatment was horrible. In reality, the root canal procedure itself is not complicated, and causes no pain. Any pain associated with the root canal is from the infection, not the treatment. Once you have a root canal, your pain is eliminated and a healthy tooth structure is restored.

Every tooth has a canal in the center, a tube that begins at the root and moves upward toward the head of the tooth. This holds the root and the pulp, hence the name "root canal". When a tooth has been significantly damaged from decay, an infection may reach the pulp and cause immense pain to the root and tooth nerve. Without removing the pulp, the infection will remain. Root canal therapy is designed to remove the pulp and nerve, as well as any decay present on the tooth.

Root canal therapy is performed with local anesthesia so the patient is completely numb and comfortable during the procedure. In instances where the patient is nervous about his or her treatment, oral sedation or nitrous oxide may be requested. After numbing the area being treated, the dentist will place a rubber dam (rubber sheet) around the tooth to keep the area dry. Dr. Cha & Dr. Dinh begin root canal therapy by removing any decay that is on the tooth itself. An access hole is then drilled through the tooth structure to the root canal. Pulp and nerve tissue are removed using various-sized files that fit into the canal. After removing all pulp and nerve, the canal may be treated with antibiotics and then sealed.

After the canal is sealed, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth, which will be used to create a permanent crown. So a temporary crown will placed until the permanent crown is ready. When you understand a restorative treatment like root canal therapy, you may feel a little less anxious about receiving care. If you experience significant anxiety, speak with Dr. Cha or Dr. Dinh about options for sedation. Your oral care is worth it.

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