Root Canal Treatment
PITTSBURGH, PA
Pittsburgh's Top Dentist
Extended Hours
Modern Technology
Painless Treatment
Happy Patients
WHY GET A ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?
A “root canal” treatment saves a severely injured, cracked, or decayed tooth when its pulp (the soft inner tissue inside a tooth’s root canal) becomes inflamed or infected. If it is not treated promptly, pain or a tooth abscess (infection) results.
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the diseased pulp along with the tooth’s nerve (located within a tooth’s root canal). The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of your tooth are then cleaned, medicated and sealed. A dental crown or other restorative treatment is used to protect and strengthen the tooth.
Root canal treatment is completed in one or two office visits, depending on the presence of infection and the required treatment plan. If a tooth is severely infected, it may take more than one appointment to eliminate the problem. Occasionally the body doesn’t heal as fast as one would like it to, so sometimes its better to treat the infection before completing the root canal treatment. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth. With good oral hygiene, the restored tooth has the potential to last a lifetime.
SYMPTOMS THAT YOU NEED A ROOT CANAL
Call us at 412.406.8100 if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Tooth or gum pain, discoloration, or prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
- A tooth that is tender when it is touched
- A tooth abscess(pus enclosed in the tissues of the jawbone at the tip of an infected tooth)
- Pus drainage in your mouth
- Swelling or tenderness in the lymph nodes under your jaw
Sometimes an endodontic problem can exist without warning signs. In these cases, a Digital X-ray taken during a routine dental checkup will reveal the tooth damage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Root Canal treatment is not painful. However, since, it is a major procedure, a small amount of discomfort is normal. Learn more about what type of discomfort to expect and when to seek help after root canal treatment here.
How Long Does the Root Canal Procedure Take?
You should plan for one or two appointments of 90 minutes each. Typically, the root canal for molars take two sessions.
Can I Delay Root Canal Treatment?
If you don’t get Root Canal Treatment then it can lead to much more severe consequences that can be life threatening. The infection in the root of the tooth can spread to the jaw bone and then into the surrounding tissue. This can lead to a swelling of the face and surrounding tissue and space.
Is Tooth Extraction an Alternative to Root Canal Treatment?
Yes, tooth extraction is an alternative to root canal in many cases. Learn more about the pros and cons of tooth extractions vs root canal treatment here.
Do You Have In-House Plans For Patients Without Insurance or Cash on Hand?
We strive to remove the financial barriers to accessing high quality dental care for our patients. Learn about all the different ways we make dental care accessible here. We participate with Care credit. Learn how it works here. You can find us on the Care Credit website and apply here.
