Joseph Van Mieghem DDS
Family Dentist located in Lynnwood, WA
The phrase “root canal” usually is not something you want to hear from your dentist. This type of procedure can save a tooth that is infected and would otherwise require removal. At Joseph Van Mieghem DDS in Lynnwood, Washington, patients can benefit from root canals that are fast, effective, and pain-free. Don’t wait any longer to take charge of your oral health: Book an appointment online today.
Root Canals Q&A
What is a root canal?
There are many reasons that teeth can become infected, including cavities, previous large fillings, crowns, cracks, or trauma.
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. Your dental provider removes the pulp -- nerve and blood supply -- bacteria, any corrosion, and fills the resulting space with an inert material called gutta percha.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and require extraction.
What happens during a root canal procedure?
The providers at Joseph Van Mieghem DDS perform root canals, and they require one or more appointments.
While the tooth is numb, a sheet of rubber is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and isolated from the other teeth. Your dentist then creates a hole at the top of the tooth and cleans the infected pulp from inside the tooth. They apply medicine to remove any bacteria and install a temporary filling.
When the tooth has had time to heal from the root canal treatment, you return to the office so your dentist can check the healing of the tooth. If the tooth has healed, then it’s ready for a permanent crown, which prevents any further decay or fracturing of the treated area.
In some cases, the tooth requiring treatment has a complex root, or the infection is such that it needs a specialist, called an endodontist, to examine and complete root canal therapy.
Your Lynnwood Family Dentist works closely with an endodontic specialist to review your treatment case, sending necessary records to their office, and placing the crown after your root canal is completed.
What results can I expect after a root canal?
While root canal therapy has a high degree of success, it is not 100% guaranteed. It's imperative to have a permanent restoration -- usually a crown -- placed within 30 days of the root canal. Without a permanent restoration, the tooth can fracture or further decay to the point where the root canal must be re-done; or worse, the tooth requires extraction.
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental appointments, you can guarantee that your root canal lasts as long as possible.