Root Canal Specialist

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure during which your dentist cleans out an infected tooth and fills in the open space with filling material. They save your infected tooth without compromising its integrity or appearance.

Root canals have a bad reputation as unpleasant and painful dental procedures. However, they’re one of the least complicated dental procedures you could undergo. Patients often describe root canals as feeling no different than getting a filling.  

When do dentists recommend root canals?

If you have an infected tooth that your dentist can save, he or she may recommend a root canal. Infections usually result when bacteria enters the tooth tissues for one of the following reasons:

• The same tooth had multiple dental procedures performed on it
• A cavity penetrated deep into the tooth
• Decay made the tooth vulnerable to bacteria
• A cracked, broken, or injured tooth allowed bacteria to enter

The dentists at Fairfax Corner Dental do everything they can to save your natural teeth and restore them to health. Root canals are one of the best ways to save infected teeth.

What are the alternatives to a root canal?

Many adults with infected teeth attempt to avoid dealing with the infected tooth in various ways. They might:

• Visit the ER and get antibiotics for the infection
• Pull the tooth themselves or have it pulled
• Put off treatment and allow the infection to spread

None of these options provide a better alternative to a root canal. Antibiotics may cure your current infection, but they don’t remedy the problem that led to infection so you may end up with another one. The infection can spread and cause life-threatening effects without treatment.

Extraction may seem like a valid solution for an infected tooth, but any opportunity to save your tooth is better and healthier. Replacement teeth are often costly and require much more extensive work than a root canal.

What are the advantages of a root canal?

The biggest advantage of a root canal is that it saves your original teeth. No replacement exists that functions or looks better than your natural teeth.

The second advantage of root canals is that they’re fairly easy and straightforward for your dentist to perform. With proper anesthesia, they’re painless and provide relief from the significant pain caused by infection.

If you think your tooth is infected, contact Fairfax Corner Dental online or over the phone to schedule an evaluation today.