Root canal treatments are undertaken to restore the health of a tooth that has been diseased or damaged. It would be best to preserve your natural tooth with restorative treatments rather than going for a tooth extraction. At University Oaks Dental in Houston, Texas, we perform comfortable root canal procedures to treat compromised teeth and restore their function and appearance.
A root canal is an area inside of the tooth where the tooth pulp and nerves are present. The root canal treatment involves removing decay from the tooth chamber and re-establishing the tooth to ideal health. It is performed under local anesthesia, and if required, we may provide some level of sedation to ease your anxiety.
Once a tooth becomes infected, root canal treatment is the only way to avoid its extraction. A missing tooth can cause the adjoining teeth to shift out of position. Besides, in the absence of tooth roots, the jawbone will begin to weaken or shrink.
The only way to prevent both of these possibilities is with a dental implant and an adjacent restoration. While this can provide a durable solution for replacing a lost tooth, preserving the tooth with root canal treatment is far less invasive and significantly more affordable.
First, we will make a small hole and gain access to the dental pulp. The infected tissue will be eliminated, and the root canal will be meticulously cleaned and disinfected. The tooth will be sealed temporarily to keep out saliva and food debris until the next appointment. Once the infection is cured and the root canal chamber is free of debris, we will fill the tooth with a biocompatible rubber material called gutta-percha.
Finally, the tooth will be covered with a dental filling. For added strength and protection from future damage, we can provide dental restorations such as a crown. The crowns can be designed from porcelain material that will match your existing natural teeth.
After treatment, your tooth may feel sore, but this will subside once the swelling reduces and the tooth has healed. We will prescribe antibiotics to speed up recovery.
If you want to learn more about our root canal treatments, visit our office, University Oaks Dental, at 6363 San Felipe St #200b, Houston, TX 77057. You can also reach us at (713) 461 8012 and schedule an appointment.
MON - TUE 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
WED - THU 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
FRI - SUN Closed
