Root Canal Procedure
Lake Oswego, OR
Root Canal provided by Dr. Carly Petersen
in Lake Oswego, OR at The Dentist on Boones Ferry
 If your tooth is damaged, the kind of repair or restoration procedure you get depends on the extent of damage and the ability of the tooth to be saved.
When a tooth has been badly damaged, but Dr. Petersen is able to repair it and save it, then a root canal treatment may be suitable.
Saving a tooth is preferred. If all options for saving it are exhausted, Dr. Petersen may opt to extract that tooth. A root canal procedure conducted by our team at The Dentist on Boones Ferry helps remove the infected tissue and clean the cavity.
Who Can Get Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a viable option when the tissue inside the root canal becomes infected. The soft tissue inside the root canal, known as the pulp, harbors blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Because of the presence of nerves in the pulp, you most likely will experience severe pain when there is infection or damage to the tissue.
When you find that you are experiencing pain when you chew or bite, we may suggest that you have root canal therapy.
Additionally, when you have a badly cracked or chipped tooth, sensitivity to hot and cold, or pimples within the soft tissue or gums, root canal therapy may be considered.
Other symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal are deep decay, darkening gums, and tender gums.
Root Canal Procedure
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Our dental team begins the root canal therapy with an examination. We look at the damage in order to understand how best to provide repair and treatment.
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X-rays or other imaging will be used to check the internal areas of the tooth, especially the pulp.
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Dr. Petersen administers anesthesia in order to ensure comfort. A dental dam or protective sheet is placed over the area so that the tooth is isolated and saliva does not get to the tooth.
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Dr. Petersen drills a hole within the tooth and cleans the pulp chambers including the root canals. Additionally, she reshapes the cavity before filling the root canal.
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Finally, our dentist closes the cavity with a filling that is later removed for placement of a dental crown.
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We will fit a crown to restore tooth function and offer protection so that no bacterial plaque or even food debris can get into the tooth. |
Caring for the Mouth
Ensure you avoid chewing and biting down with the treated tooth or the side of that tooth until a crown is placed. If there is no protective crown, you may risk fracturing the tooth.
Moreover, do not forget to maintain daily oral hygiene. Floss and brush regularly.
We also advise you to visit us regularly to allow our team to check on how the restoration is performing and conduct cleanings.
Watch what you eat. Soft foods are recommended such as applesauce, yogurt, and fish or eggs when recovering. Avoid hard foods because they may harm the tooth.
Root Canals Are Available at Your Lake Oswego Dentist!
Visit us at The Dentist on Boones Ferry if you believe a root canal treatment can help you. We will first evaluate you to see if the procedure is an option. Call us at (971) 377-1208 to set up an appointment. |
