What Are the Reasons You Might Need a Root Canal?

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If you have ongoing tooth pain or a badly damaged tooth, our dentists in Woodbridge, VA, may recommend a root canal. At Niles Dental, we offer this treatment approach when damage or infections affect the pulp inside a tooth, increasing the risk of tooth extraction. Our dental team might do a root canal for any of the following reasons.

Severe Tooth Decay

Having decay that goes untreated or gets worse can lead to infections in the pulp. When this happens, your tooth is at risk of needing to be extracted. A root canal helps eliminate infections and stops decay from becoming even more severe.

Tooth Trauma

We sometimes do root canals in Woodbridge, VA, when patients have an injured tooth. This internal trauma can reach the pulp, seriously weakening the tooth and making it more vulnerable to infections. A root canal helps repair and protect injured teeth.

Deep Cracks

Having a crack that reaches the inner part of your tooth raises your risk of infection. Minor cracks usually don’t need a root canal, but a large or deep crack may require this treatment to keep the tooth safe from bacteria.

Failed or Multiple Fillings

Fillings are a standard form of treatment for tooth decay, but they can fail over time. In some cases, patients have multiple fillings in one tooth, lowering the effectiveness. We may recommend a root canal to treat the tooth rather than more fillings.

Schedule a Root Canal for Your Tooth Today

Do you have a damaged or infected tooth that needs treatment? At Niles Dental, our dentists offer root canals in Woodbridge, VA, to get infections under control and save teeth from having to be removed.

Does My Tooth Sensitivity Mean I Need a Root Canal?

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Tooth sensitivity is a common issue for many people. In fact, there’s a whole section in the drugstore devoted to treating tooth sensitivity with special toothpastes. This is why you might be surprised to learn that tooth sensitivity is one of the reasons why some people have a root canal in Woodbridge, VA. Here, we’ll look at the facts, so you can understand more about the tooth and when it’s time to take action.

What You Should Know About Tooth Sensitivity

As a general rule, sensitivity does not mean that you need a root canal. Most people will have other symptoms, such as pain when chewing, inflamed gums, or discolored teeth. However, tooth sensitivity is relative, meaning that some people will inquire about a root canal for an especially touchy tooth. If you’re not planning to give up ice cream or coffee, a root canal will deaden the nerve, so you don’t have to worry every time you take a bite or a sip.

How Does a Root Canal Work?

Root canals are essentially the last stop before a tooth extraction. They clear out damaged pulp and nerves in the tooth, so the dentist in Woodbridge, VA can reseal it and then strengthen it with a crown. Root canals fix a tooth that’s damaged enough that it needs more than a filling to survive, but not so damaged that it needs to be pulled. While extractions are far less damaging to your overall oral health than they used to be, largely thanks to advances in implants, you should try to avoid them at all costs.

At Niles Dental, we can help you learn more about whether a root canal is the right option for you!

How to Handle Pain After a Root Canal

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You’ll find several articles about root canals that often say the same things: that the pain that you’ll feel after a root canal is usually mild or even nonexistent. Of course, these articles will often follow it up for tips about managing the pain, which can include anything from Aleve to cold presses. Here, we’ll look at what to expect from the procedure and add a few more solutions to the mix.

The Long and Short

The first thing to know about root canal pain is that extreme pain is anything but typical. In other words, if you’re concerned about the level of pain you’re experiencing, it’s probably for good reason. While root canals half a century ago may have meant that patients had a long recovery, the latest techniques should spare you from that kind of agony.

Severe pain should mean a call to your endodontist or dentist in Woodbridge, VA. The only caveat is that if the original practice was incompetent, they may also not be able to treat the aftermath.

Standard Tips for Pain Management

If you’re experiencing fairly mild (or even moderate) pain and discomfort after a root canal in Woodbridge, chances are your body is simply adjusting to the procedure. In this case, it’s important to stick to soft foods, saltwater rinses, cold compresses, and gentle brushing and flossing. You can even consider topical numbing solutions if you want to really dull the ache.

Find Qualified Staff in Woodbridge, VA

At Niles Dental. we’re here to help you figure out the cause of your pain and then exhaust every possible avenue to treat it. While most root canals are very straightforward (leading to few consequences), some break the mold. If you think your pain is abnormal, contact us today so we can check it out!

Root Canal Therapy: What to Expect

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Many people have had root canals, a dental procedure that involves removing infected tooth pulp. These common treatments are typically needed when bacteria seeps into a tooth root and causes an infection, which can happen after a cavity or an injury.

If you’re searching for a trusted root canal in Woodbridge, VA, look no further than Niles Dental. We can take away the pain and restore your dental health! Call us today to get started.

In this post, we’ll discuss what you can expect from root canal treatment.

Initial Exam

First, your dentist will need to determine if a root canal is right for you. They will accomplish this by examining your teeth, reviewing X-rays, and running special tests. Your provider will also ask about any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

During the Procedure

Root canal treatment starts by numbing the tooth and surrounding gums with anesthesia. Next, you can expect the following steps:

  • A dental dam is placed to keep your mouth dry.
  • Your provider drills a hole in the top of the tooth.
  • Small tools are used to remove infected nerves, blood vessels, and tissues
  • The pulp chamber and canals are cleaned and disinfected.
  • Gutta-percha, a rubbery dental material, is used to fill the canals.
  • Your provider seals the tooth with a temporary filling.
  • A dental crown is placed over the restored tooth.

While you may feel some slight discomfort during the treatment, the entire process is relatively painless.

After the Treatment

Your dentist will encourage you to rest after the procedure. Your mouth may also be sore for a few days. After your first appointment, you’ll need to schedule another office visit or two to finish the procedure and place the permanent dental crown.

Not sure if you need a root canal? Give Niles Dental a call today! We have the leading dentist in Woodbridge, VA, so you can count on us for all your dental care needs!