What can I expect with root canal treatment?
Patients diagnosed with a condition that may require root canal therapy, also referred to as endodontic therapy, to address it often have questions about what they can expect during their procedure. Dr. Boris Kaltchev of BK Dental in Wood Dale and Evanston, Illinois, explains the steps needed to perform this treatment and bring the smile back to health.
What are the steps needed for infected tooth treatment?
- Evaluation. Before recommending root canal therapy, Dr. Boris Kaltchev evaluates the patient’s tooth to determine if it is necessary and appropriate. This evaluation may include dental X-rays, sensitivity tests, and a thorough examination of the tooth
- Preparation. Once it has been decided that root canal therapy is needed, the patient will be scheduled for the procedure. Before the appointment, patients are advised to avoid eating or drinking anything for a few hours, as this will help to keep the area clean and dry during the treatment
- Numbing/anesthetics. Before beginning the procedure, Dr. Boris Kaltchev numbs the affected tooth and surrounding areas with a local anesthetic. This ensures that our patients are comfortable throughout the entire process
- Access. The next step is creating an opening at the natural tooth’s top to access the inner chamber and canals. This is typically done with a dental drill
- Pulp removal. After the pulp chamber has been accessed, Dr. Boris Kaltchev carefully removes the infected or damaged pulp tissue from within the canal using specialized instruments
- Cleaning and shaping. The dentist cleans and shapes the canals to ensure that all bacteria and any debris are removed to reduce the potential for future infections
- Filling. Once the inner canals have been cleaned thoroughly by our dental team, they are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, which seals off the canal and prevents reinfection, which is possible without proper sealing
- Dental crown. Our team places dental crowns over teeth that may have been treated with root canal therapy to protect the remaining tooth’s structure from breakage, as many teeth become weak and brittle after this procedure
Call our team at BK Dental to learn more about the root canal procedure and other services available
Are you seeking toothache relief? Endodontic therapy may be the treatment you need to address an infected tooth.
Call one of our two offices in Wood Dale and Evanston, Illinois, at (630) 766-2223 and (847) 475-4080, respectively, to request a consultation visit and initial evaluation with Dr. Boris Kaltchev and his team.