ROOT CANALS

Our Delaware, OH dentists provide in-house endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) for patients of all ages. Therapeutic root canals are used as a way to preserve natural, structurally-sound teeth instead of removing them and replacing them with something else. Getting a root canal not only treats the source of tooth pain but also prolongs the overall lifespan of your natural smile.

Do I Need a Root Canal?

Drs. Jack Minnillo , Joe Papp Dr. Reidy and Dr. Sklenar are committed to working one-on-one with each patient to determine the best course of care for their oral health needs. If you have a tooth that fits any of the following scenarios, you might need a root canal:

Abscessed tooth
Severe pain
Large area of tooth decay
Deep crack in the tooth
Evidence of tooth death
Nerve damage from traumatic injury

To fully determine if you need a root canal, we will take a small X-ray of the tooth and need to check for any undiagnosed cracks.

What Happens During a Root Canal

Whenever a tooth is damaged to the point that the nerve becomes involved, it isn’t possible to cover or patch over the tooth with a filling or crown. Instead, the compromised or infected nerve in the middle of the tooth needs to be removed. This treatment eliminates tooth pain and prevents the tooth from deteriorating from the inside out.

During a root canal, we gently numb the tooth so that you don’t feel anything more than a little pressure. From there, the damaged areas are removed, and the nerve is gently extracted from the pulp chamber. Since the nerve is what relays tooth pain to the body, removing these tissues prevents any further discomfort in your infected or dying tooth.

Next, the inside of the tooth is cleaned out and medicated, then sealed off to prevent any form of reinfection. We also recommend placing a crown over the tooth to protect it from everyday biting and chewing forces (as teeth tend to become more brittle after the nerve is removed.)

For severely abscessed teeth, our Delaware, OH dentists may need to prescribe an antibiotic leading up to the procedure. This measure will reduce swelling so that local anesthetic medications can work more effectively.

Can I Sleep Through My Root Canal?

Smile Center Ohio offers in-house dental sedation to help you relax through your next major dental treatment or endodontic procedure. Choose between comfortable oral sedation or we can bring in a local anesthesiologist if you want to be fully asleep for the entire appointment. Since the medications will leave you feeling drowsy for a few hours, you’ll need to have someone escort you to and from your appointment.

We also have ceiling-mounted televisions and noise-cancelling headphones, along with soft blankets, to help you tune everything out during your restorative procedure.

Reserve a No-Obligation Exam

Delaware, OH All-on-4 or All-on-6 implants may be your best option for replacing lost teeth. Make an appointment with Smile Center Ohio today to find out if you are a candidate for this life-changing and unique treatment.