At Advanced Dental Artistry we are in the business of saving teeth; however, at times teeth cannot be saved. Teeth may need to be extracted for the following reasons: periodontal disease, extensive decay, fractures, impactions (wisdom teeth) and/or for orthodontic purposes.

The term “root canal” is one of the most feared terms in dentistry. It seems to automatically invoke a perception of pain and discomfort. The reputation of pain typically associated with “having a root canal”; however, is really not deserved. Modern dentistry has simplified the process and has made the patient’s experience much more comfortable. Most patients who have had a root canal usually report that the procedure itself was “not that bad” and “similar to having a filling placed”.
 

(Click images to enlarge) Infected Tooth   Treated Tooth   What is it?  Non diseased teeth are actually living entities. Inside each tooth resides the pulp chamber which provides nutrients, moisture and nerve fibers to the tooth. The pulp runs in a three dimensional canal down and through the root of a tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If the tissue is not removed, your tooth will get infected, painful and you could lose it. After the pulp is removed the root canal is cleaned, filled and sealed off to protect it. When the root canal is completed the tooth becomes brittle since it is no longer living and no longer has its nutritional support. In order to protect a tooth that has had a root canal it is necessary to cover it with a crown or cap which “holds” the tooth together and protects it from breaking. How is the procedure done? Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple and routine procedure. Depending on the complexity, the “root canal” may take one to two visits to complete. After the root canal is finished, two additional appointments are needed to complete the crown portion of the procedure. Symptoms of a tooth needing a root canal include: 1) Sensitivity to hot and cold foods, liquids, etc. 2) Spontaneous tooth pain. 3) Throbbing, dull pain. 4) Lingering pain. 5) Pain when chewing on the tooth. 6) Pain that keeps you awake at night. Results you can expect: You can expect to experience little or no discomfort during the procedure. About 20% of patients experience some discomfort following the procedure that generally goes away within the first week. If discomfort persists beyond a week, please contact our office.