Silver Spring, MD Dentist
Susan Pearson, DDS
1131 University Blvd. West, Ste 103
Silver Spring, MD 20902
(301) 649-2203
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Posts for: July, 2018

By Susan Pearson, D.D.S.
July 24, 2018
Tags: Root Canal  

What do you do with a seriously damaged tooth? In many cases, root canal therapy presents a viable treatment option. Only your Silverroot canal Spring dentist, Dr. Susan Pearson, can tell. So what are the signs you may need a root canal, and what's involved in this longstanding treatment?

What is a root canal?

Root canal therapy, or endodontics, saves millions of teeth each year in the US, says the American Association of Endodontists. A comfortable procedure which takes only two one-hour visits with your Silver Spring dentist, root canal therapy removes inflamed and infected pulp from inside a tooth and the narrow passageways inside each root.

Then, the dentist cleans and disinfects each root canal and fills it with a naturally elastic substance called gutta-percha. A temporary filling, a week of healing and final placement of a porcelain crown finish the procedure.

Signs you may need a root canal

Ultimately, your dentist determines if root canal therapy can save an ailing tooth. Visual inspection and digital X-ray imaging are the primary diagnostic tools, along with a review of symptoms such as:

  • Pain upon biting and chewing
  • Throbbing toothache
  • Enamel discoloration
  • Loss of substantial amount of enamel through injury, decay, abcess or multiple restorations
  • A pimple on the gums near the tooth
  • Drainage from the tooth
  • Bad breath
  • Sensitivity to pressure, heat and cold
  • Swelling of the gums

Thankfully, root canal therapy relieves these difficult symptoms. It promotes quick healing, and although the restored tooth is without its innermost nerves, connective tissue and blood supply, it likely will remain and place and function well for decades.

Myths about root canal therapy

  1. It hurts. No, root canal therapy relieves pain; it does not cause it. During the procedure, Dr. Pearson uses local anesthetic to numb the tooth so the patient feels nothing. Afterward, over-the-counter analgesics, such as Tylenol, take care of any residual discomfort.
  2. The procedure takes a long time. On the contrary, the first appointment takes about and hour and the second, even less than that.
  3. The restored tooth looks odd. No, teeth repaired with endodontic therapy look natural because Dr. Pearson finishes them will beautiful porcelain crowns.
  4. The tooth will break. After a root canal, a tooth is more brittle. However, the gutta-percha and crown support and strengthen it.
  5. Many root canal treatments fail. As with any dental procedure, problems can occur. However, the American Association of Endodontists states that up to 98 percent of root canals succeed, and the restored teeth exhibit amazing strength and longevity.

Find out more

If you have a troublesome tooth, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Susan Pearson and her team for an evaluation. It's important to do all you can to preserve your natural teeth. Call (301) 649-2203.


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