Root Canal Therapy
Get Help with Painful, Infected Teeth
If you’ve been experiencing a painful toothache that won’t go away, you may have a tooth infection. If your tooth is infected in Marietta, the best way to save it is with root canal therapy from Dr. Bret Frye and the team at Frye Dental Group. Root canals target the source of the infection to eliminate your pain and discomfort and get you back to your normal routine.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a procedure used to restore infected teeth. A tooth infection occurs when one of your teeth is severely damaged, exposing the vulnerable, nerve-filled “pulp” to oral bacteria.
This can happen if you have a large cavity that penetrates through the whole tooth, or if you have a cracked or broken tooth. Eventually, bacteria will start to infect the pulp, causing serious pain and discomfort.
With a root canal, Dr. Frye will open the tooth, remove the infected pulp and other material, and then fill it and cap it with a crown to protect it from further damage. This is the best way to save your tooth, eliminate your pain, and protect your smile for years to come.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Do you need a root canal? Here are a few common signs that you may have an infected tooth:
- A painful toothache that won’t go away
- Red, swollen gum tissue near the affected tooth
- Gray, black, or dark tooth discoloration
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Pain and discomfort while biting or chewing
Understanding The Root Canal Process
Root canals have a bad reputation in pop culture. In reality, the process is simple, pain-free, and usually takes less than an hour to complete. Here’s what to expect from your appointment at Frye Dental Group:
- Tooth prep – Once he confirms that you need a root canal, Dr. Frye will clean and numb the treatment area to prepare for your procedure. Once your mouth is numb, he will use a dental drill to remove any damaged or decayed enamel.
- Cleaning the tooth – Next, Dr. Frye will create a small opening in your tooth. Then, he will use dental tools to clean out the infection. Next, he will flush your tooth with antiseptic to eliminate any remaining bacteria.
- Filling and capping – After flushing your tooth to disinfect it, Dr. Frye will fill it with gutta-percha. This material replaces the missing pulp and strengthens your tooth. Finally, he will attach a temporary crown to your tooth to protect it. You will need to come back to our office in a few weeks to be fitted for a permanent porcelain crown.
What Is Root Canal Retreatment?
Root canals have a high initial success rate of about 85% to 95% percent. However, in some cases, your initial root canal may not fully remove the infection. This is most common in patients who have narrow, curved, or otherwise complicated root anatomy. Root canal retreatment may also be needed if your temporary filling or crown fails and the tooth becomes re-infected.
Even years after treatment, root canal retreatment may be needed if your tooth becomes infected due to new decay, a broken crown or filling, or dental trauma that cracks or damages it.
Either way, the process is identical to a root canal. Dr. Frye will open up your tooth, clean it up to remove the infection, and then cap it with a crown to protect the remaining tooth structure from further damage.
Get Help With Your Painful Tooth – Call Frye Dental Group!
If you’ve got a toothache that won’t go away, you may need a root canal to remove the infection and restore your tooth. So don’t wait. Contact Frye Dental Group and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bret Frye and our team right away. We offer same-day emergency care for our patients and are always standing by to help you get the expert dental care you need.