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Lafayette Root Canal
A toothache can signal the need for root canal treatment.
Why would I need a Root Canal Treatment?
The inside of a tooth normally contains living tissue called pulp. When this pulp gets infected because of tooth decay, it can swell and die.
In order to heal the tooth, a root canal treatment removes the dead (or infected) tissue and seals the tooth.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Because the pulp can already be dead before treatment, sometimes the patient doesn't even need a novocain injection. In most cases the treatment is not difficult for the patient. If, however, you feel anxious about your root canal treatment, we are experts at sedation or sleep dentistry, which can help you stay relaxed and comfortable throughout the treatment.
In the past many people have mistakenly opted out of root canal treatment because they just prefer to have the infected tooth pulled out, preferring not to sit through the root canal procedure because of treatment anxiety. Even though most patients are familiar with tooth extraction procedures, it is usually much more disruptive for the patient than a root canal treatment. In many of these cases a root canal can save the tooth and be a more practical option.
How can I tell that need a root canal Treatment?
Here are several symptoms or signs of pulp decay needing root canal treatment:
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold with lingering pain
- Toothache pain when biting, tapping, or applying pressure to the tooth
- Waking up in the middle of a night because of toothache pain
- Pain that spreads from tooth to tooth
- Inflamed bumps on the gums that may leak blood or pus
After the Root Canal Treatment
Root canal (or endodontic) treatment takes as many as three appointments, but the number of visits depends on the complexity of the case. During the treatment process you may temporarily experience tooth sensitivity to pressure, hot, or cold, and possible swelling, though it is difficult to predict what you may feel.
After your treatment we may need to prescribe an antibiotic (for swelling) or in complicated cases you may need pain medication. In between visits we may place a temporary filling, so be gentle on your teeth, especially while eating, until the treatment is finished. To prevent further damage we occassionally recommend a dental crown to offset weakness in the tooth.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms signalling the need for a root canal, we promise to carefully evaluate your need for treatment and be as gentle as possible.
Make a diagnostic appointment online.
John C. Theriot DDS, Kayla Soirez DDS, and Associates
Schedule an Appointment Online
We moved into a new state-of-the-art facility in Summer 2009
121 Rue Louis XIV, Suite 2
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone - 888-262-6390
Fax - 337-984-9898
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