Smiling woman seated on dental chair awaiting root canal treatment
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Save your tooth with nonsurgical root canal treatment in Cleveland, OH

Root canal treatment has an unfair reputation for being painful. The truth is that root canal therapy is the way to immediately resolve the pain and pressure from a toothache. This form of treatment is also responsible for “saving” natural tooth structure. With advanced and precision medications and techniques, treatment is little more time-consuming and extensive than a common filling. Downtown Dental Services Dr. Tony Lu may recommend this nonsurgical, straightforward therapy to patients in the Cleveland, OH area if they have deep damage to the innermost part of a tooth.

Treatment candidates

At the center of each tooth, underneath the protective enamel and softer dentin layers, resides soft pulp tissue. The pulp is contained within root canals. Each pulp includes nerves and blood vessels. As a tooth is maturing, the pulp “feeds” and nourishes it, which supports healthy development. Once the tooth is fully matured, however, the pulp is not required for the tooth to be healthy. In fact, this central chamber can be a liability. If bacteria work their way through the tooth, the pulp may become inflamed or infected. Without proper treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the face, or body. Severe abscesses or systemic infections are a medical emergency. We encourage you to keep routine check-ups at our office. So, we can pinpoint early-stage decay or disease and resolve it before the problem produces pain or threatens your tooth. And we also encourage you to contact us promptly to schedule an appointment if you notice any changes, such as:

  • Sudden sensitivity, especially when you drink or eat hot, cold, or sweet items
  • Pain when you bite down on foods
  • Persistent pain that lingers
  • Gum swelling
  • A lump on your gums (abscess)

learn more about Root canal treatment

Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful but when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with a natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95 percent or greater. Most root canals are diagnosed by patient’s sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist if any symptoms or discomfort occur.


Relief with root canal treatment

If we determine that you need root canal therapy, we will discuss options to keep you comfortable and relaxed. The procedure generally involves opening the crown, which immediately relieves painful pressure. The inner part of the tooth is accessed. Damaged tissue is removed. The root canals themselves are sterilized and shaped. Then, the canals are sealed with a gutta percha material to protect the treatment site and to prevent reinfection. Usually, a temporary crown is placed until your permanent crown is ready. Before the permanent crown is cemented into place, we will check that it fits perfectly and looks natural. Think of this as a deep clean for the inside of your tooth to “save” it!

Do not wait for problems to arise to call us. Schedule your appointment today.

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