The Ins and Outs of Root Canals in Dallas, TX

Root canal therapy is most often performed by a type of dentist called an endodontist who is specifically trained for this procedure. Before they begin work, they’ll take X-rays of the tooth and the structures around it to make sure the infection hasn’t spread to the jawbone. When this is ascertained, the root canal procedure can begin.

First, the patient is given some sort of agent to help them relax and not feel pain. Ironically, in some damaged teeth, the nerves in the pulp have already been destroyed by the infection, and the patient wouldn’t feel much pain anyway. Nevertheless, patients who are really anxious can be given sedation therapy. This is a combination of a numbing agent injected near the tooth and another anesthetic such as laughing gas or sedation that can be administered orally or through an IV drip. Some patients demand general anesthesia, but this requires protocols that are most often found in a hospital as opposed to a dentist’s office.

When the area around the tooth has been numbed, the dentist fixes a rubber dental dam around it. They’ll open up the tooth with a drill, and sometimes, the patient can actually hear a puff of escaping gas when this is done. Then, using tiny files, the dentist takes away the infection from the tooth and cleans it out until all the material is gone. They’ll rinse the tooth chamber with antibacterial solution to destroy any residual bacteria.

After the tooth is cleaned and dried, the dentist can install a filling or prepare the tooth for a dental implant. If the latter happens, the dentist will take several steps, including inserting a post into the jaw to fuse with the bone there, closing the gum over it, and then opening it back up when the crown is ready to be placed.