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Common Dental Issues We Fix:

Tooth Infection (Root Infection) - Root Canal

Tooth and root infection treated with near pain-free root canal by local dentist in Waterville, Maine, plus general and emergency dental services.

By Waterville Family Dentistry

What Is A Root Canal?

Once a tooth is damaged and/or infected, it can become necessary to perform a root canal to avoid removing the tooth. At one time an admittedly painful process, these days the positives far outweigh the negatives and root canals can be less intrusive (and painful) than many dental procedures.

Basically, the canals inside the root of the tooth is cleaned out, then a crown is placed on the tooth. An effective alternative to tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant, or other dental device, root canals can often save badly damaged, infected teeth.

Once a dreaded dental procedure, we make it almost routine.

When Do I Need A Root Canal?

The soft middle of a tooth is known as dental pulp and it’s full of soft tissue like blood vessels and nerves. As you can imagine, when bacteria gets into the pulp due to a broken tooth or tooth decay, things can go wrong quickly.

Bacteria and rotting tissue can create and amplify infections, leading to the death of the pulp, bone loss, an abscess, and even loss of the tooth.

Symptoms Of Tooth/Root Infection

  • Hole In Tooth
  • Toothache
  • Swelling of Face & Throat
  • Swollen Gums
  • Sensitivity To Temperature

How Does A Dentist Fix A Root Canal?

Root canals normally take two visits to treat, beginning with diagnosis using dental x-rays so your Waterville dentist knows how far the tooth decay has made it into your tooth.

It’s very important that every trace of the decay is removed from the teeth canals to ensure the root canal is a success for years to come. First, the patient receives an anesthetic, then decay is removed and an opening into the tooth is made through the crown.

Next, the diseased pulp is removed, then both the canals and pulp chamber are carefully and exactingly emptied and cleaned. Once the tooth is clear of infection, it may be given time to drain before the tooth receives a filling, or a permanent crown is placed.

Sometimes, not always, a metal post is anchored in the tooth and used to support the crown. Next, the tooth is filled with a mix of dental materials, protecting the root canals from any further infection.

Root Canal Dental Restoration & After Care

Once the dental crown is in place, your Waterville family dentist will sculpt it to fit your bite and to fit in well cosmetically. When it comes to the permanent crown, it can be made of different materials, including gold, porcelain, or composite resin. 

Cleaned and restored, your newly crowned tooth should last for a long time. The tooth will likely be sensitive for a few days after the procedure, then you’ll be good to go. Just don’t forget to brush and floss in order to extend the lifetime of your root canal and that whole beautiful smile of yours!



Your first visit won’t be your last.

We look forward to having you join our family here at Waterville Family Dentistry!