Root Canals Specialist
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Myers Dental
General Dentists & Comprehensive, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry located in Austin, TX
Going in for a root canal shouldn’t feel like the end of the world. In fact, it may be the only way to relieve your tooth pain for good! At Myers Dental on Spicewood Springs Road in Austin, Texas, the team provides root canal therapy for teeth that feel painful or overly sensitive because of an infection on the inside. To find out if you need a root canal, call or click to reserve an appointment at Myers Dental today.
Root Canals Q & A
What are root canals?
Root canals are a type of treatment that’s necessary if the inside of your tooth becomes infected or inflamed. Below the enamel and dentin, the two hard layers of your teeth, lies the pulp. The pulp consists of soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves that keep your tooth nourished. A fully grown tooth can survive without it, but it needs to be filled and covered with a crown to keep its strength.
During a root canal, the team at Myers Dental must make a small hole in the chewing surface of the tooth to access the pulp. They use specialized tools to remove the infected tissue delicately, then irrigate the inside and clean it with an antimicrobial solution to prevent new infections from developing. Finally, they fill the empty portion with a rubbery paste and take impressions for a crown if you need one.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
It can be tricky to tell if you need a root canal because tooth infections and inflammation can come without any symptoms. If you have a tooth that needs a root canal but doesn’t show symptoms, the team at Myers Dental looks for signs during your routine exam appointments.
Other teeth that need root canals come with glaring symptoms that are impossible to ignore, and they often only get worse. You might need a root canal if you experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Sharp pain upon biting down
- Lingering sensitivity after contact with extreme temperatures
- Pimples on your gums
- Discolored gums
- Swollen gums
In general, if something in your mouth doesn’t feel right, you should report it to your dentist. It could mean the difference between preserving your natural tooth with a root canal or needing restorative work, like implants or dentures.
How much do root canals hurt?
Root canals have an outdated reputation for being painful. At Myers Dental, the team provides you with local anesthesia so you cannot feel the procedure as it’s happening. Additionally, they can keep you comfortable and at ease with heated blankets and entertaining TV or music.
Approximately 95% of all root canal procedures end with a full alleviation of your pain. That means no more sensitivity when biting down or eating certain foods. In very rare cases, the pain doesn’t go away and the root canal needs to be repeated. The Myers Dental team removes any remaining tissue and covers exposed nerves to make sure your pain goes away on the second try.
If you suspect that a root canal is in order for a tooth that’s causing trouble, call Myers Dental or book an appointment online today.
