Root Canals in Rothschild

Root Canals

Causes and Treatment

Root canals are a simple, straightforward, common procedure. A tooth becomes infected when the pulp, which supports the enamel and dentin of the tooth, becomes exposed to bacteria in the mouth. Over time, the infected tooth will essentially “rot” from the inside out, causing significant pain. If left untreated, an infected tooth will eventually fall out. A root canal treatment cleans the tooth and removes infected material, eliminating the infection and preserving the tooth.

Know What To Expect

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Root canal treatment is quite similar to a filling. Dr. Skutak will start by numbing the surrounding area to minimize pain and discomfort. Using small, specialized dental tools, she’ll remove the dental pulp and infected material from the inside of your tooth, and disinfect it. Your pulp is replaced with a material called “gutta percha”, that helps support the tooth structure after your treatment. To finish, your tooth is sealed with a filling or a crown.  

Get a Healthier Smile

Benefits of Root Canals

Root canals have a number of benefits, including:

- Pain relief – Root canals provide relief from the pain of an infected tooth, which can be incredibly severe, and can even cause migraines. After a root canal, you won’t feel anymore pain from your infected tooth.
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- Efficient treatment – A root canal typically takes only 1-2 hours, and you can even be sedated during the procedure at Skutak Dental to ensure your comfort.
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- Affordable – Root canals are much more affordable than other restorative options that you may need if an infected tooth goes untreated, such as tooth extractions and dental implants.

Am I A GOod Candidate

For A Root Canal?

A good candidate for a root canal is someone who has extensive tooth decay or dental trauma that has caused an infection or inflammation in their dental pulp. This can be caused by tooth decay that was left untreated, an injury to the tooth, a defective crown, or a crack in the tooth that has exposed the nerve. 

However, the tooth still needs to be salvageable. If the decay or damage is so severe that a root canal cannot save the tooth, an extraction will be necessary and you will need to replace the tooth. 

In most cases, we can save the tooth as long as you haven’t waited a long time before coming in to address the damage to your dental pulp. The best way to determine if we can save your tooth with a root canal is to come into our Rothschild practice for a consultation.

Painless Procedures

Does A Root Canal Hurt? 

No, despite any tropes that might say otherwise, root canals are completely painless! This is because we use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth. There’s this misconception that root canals are painful, but this is a very outdated sentiment. 

With advancements in technology and techniques in dentistry, we can perform root canals very comfortably. A root canal feels just like a routine dental filling. Not only is it not painful, but a root canal will actually relieve the pain caused by the infection.You have nothing to fear from root canal therapy.

While you may feel some minor sensitivity or tenderness for a couple of days once the anesthetic wears off, this can be relieved with anti-inflammatory pain medication and chewing on the other side of your mouth.

Aftercare For Root Canals

Root Canal Healing: What To Expect

After receiving a root canal, there is minimal aftercare required. You should wait to eat or drink hot liquids until after the anesthetic has worn off. Otherwise, you could accidentally bite or burn yourself. 

Once you can eat and drink again, you should stick to soft foods. Avoid crunchy, hard, and sticky foods. Avoid alcohol and smoking which can prolong the healing process. You don’t want to disturb the site of the root canal, so try not to chew with that tooth. 

You should brush and floss as normal, being careful around the affected tooth. You should also take it easy for the rest of the day and avoid strenuous activity. We recommend taking anti-inflammatory pain medication as needed, but any pain should be mild and gradually subside with each day. 

If your pain is severe or gets worse, contact us right away. If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, you should avoid extremely hot and cold foods and drinks, as well as spicy and acidic foods. Remember to return for any follow-up appointments such as placing a dental crown.

Get Out of Pain

Come In Today!

If you think that you may have an infected tooth, don’t wait, and don’t let a painful tooth interfere with your daily life. With a root canal at Skutak Dental, you can get relief from the pain and ensure that your tooth remains intact and healthy for years to come.

Schedule your appointment today at (715) 355-4433. If you are experiencing significant pain and discomfort, you can also walk-in to our office at 700 Eagle Nest Boulevard, Suite E, Rothschild, WI 54474. Dr. Skutak always tries to see emergency patients as soon as possible!