Oak Creek Root Canals

Root Canal Therapy in Oak Creek

Save Your Infected Tooth

If you have a serious, persistent toothache, you may be suffering from an infected tooth. An infection is a serious condition that requires root canal therapy to prevent further damage and preserve your tooth. At Oak Creek Dental Care, Dr. Saleki has years of experience with root canal therapy and can provide you with the care you need to save your tooth. If you think your tooth may be infected, don’t hesitate to call and schedule an appointment right away.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a procedure that is used to disinfect and repair your tooth if it has become infected. A tooth infection occurs when the enamel and dentin, which make up the hard, outer layers of your tooth, are damaged by a cavity or an injury. When this happens, bacteria reach the interior “pulp”, infecting the tooth and causing a toothache. A root canal is used to open up a tiny hole in the tooth and clean out the infected material, then disinfect it, essentially destroying the infection.  

Understanding the Root Canal Treatment Process

To start the procedure, Dr. Saleki will numb your mouth and isolate the tooth with a dental dam to prevent the spread of bacteria. Next, a dental drill is used to remove damaged enamel and open a small hole in the tooth. Dr. Saleki will then use special dental tools to extract all of the damaged, decayed and infected material from the inside of the tooth. Once this is complete, he will fill up the empty space with a substance called “gutta-percha.” This material helps support the structure of the tooth. Finally, the tooth will be restored a filling or crown.

The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

• Save your natural tooth – Without proper treatment, an infected tooth will eventually die. A root canal allows you to save your natural tooth and restore its function and appearance.
• Avoid a more costly treatment – If you lose a tooth due to an infection, you will need to have it replaced with a partial denture, a dental implant, or a dental bridge, and these restorative treatments are much more expensive. A root canal is affordable and is almost always covered by your dental plan.
• Get relief from your toothache – Despite what you may have heard, the process of a root canal is virtually pain-free. In fact, it’s the best way to get relief from the pain and discomfort of a toothache.

Contact Us For An Emergency Appointment

If you have a serious toothache and believe you may have an infected tooth, this counts as a dental emergency. So don’t wait! The sooner you get treatment, the more likely you will be able to save your tooth. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (414) 762-9010, or stop by our office at 32 E Drexel Ave, Oak Creek, WI, 53154.

Does It Hurt to Get a Root Canal?

No. The root canal treatment is fast, minimally-invasive, and will not cause you any pain or discomfort. At Oak Creek Dental Care, Dr. Saleki will numb the treatment area and the nerves below your tooth to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort. You may feel some pressure and scraping sensations, but you won’t feel any pain at all.

We also offer sedation dentistry at our office. With sedation, you can relax and feel more comfortable throughout the entire root canal treatment process at our office. Contact us now to learn more about your options for sedation in Oak Creek.

How Long Will It Take to Recover?

No time at all! You don’t need to do anything special to recover after root canal treatment. In fact, many patients choose to go back to work or to school on the same day. Unlike invasive surgeries like tooth extractions, for example, the recovery process for a root canal is simple.

The only thing you’ll need to pay attention to is your temporary crown. You’ll usually get a temporary crown to cover your tooth until you can come back for a permanent porcelain crown. This crown is made of plastic, and you’ll need to take care when brushing and flossing to avoid dislodging it. You also should not chew very hard, tough, or gummy foods on the side of your mouth with the temporary crown.

In addition, you may experience a little bit of pain and tenderness in your tooth for a few days. This is normal and happens when the root canal process irritates the tissue and nerves near the treated tooth.

However, if your pain keeps getting worse or lasts a week or longer, contact us for a follow-up. This could indicate that the tooth is still infected, and you may need further treatment to eliminate the infection in your tooth.

What Is an Alternative to a Root Canal?

The only alternative to a root canal is to pull your tooth. This is rarely a better option, and will only be recommended by Dr. Saleki as a last resort.

We practice conservative dentistry at Oak Creek Dental Care. This means that we will always try to preserve your natural tooth whenever it’s possible to do so. There are a few reasons that it’s better to keep your tooth and get a root canal than it is to pull your tooth and replace it.

First, root canal therapy is usually more affordable than a tooth extraction and replacement with dental implant surgery. The procedure is also a lot simpler and less invasive. Replacing your tooth will be a very expensive, complicated process, no matter which type of tooth replacement you choose.

You’ll also save a lot of time. A root canal takes just one appointment. In contrast, pulling your tooth and replacing it could take up to 3-6 months or longer if you opt for a dental implant, and will require you to spend a lot more time in the dentist’s chair.