Root Canal Therapy – Owings Mills, MD

Treating Damaged Teeth So You Can Preserve Your Natural Smile

Are you experiencing severe oral pain that doesn’t seem like it’s going to go away on its own? It’s likely caused by a tooth infection buried deep in the inner chamber of your tooth. To treat this sensitive and vulnerable area, your dentist in Owings Mills, Dr. Monica Mattson, will need to access the inside of your tooth and remove the infection to ease your pain and avoid needing to extract it. Although root canal therapy has a notorious reputation for being uncomfortable, with the latest dental techniques, including local anesthesia and sedation, the process will be completely pain-free. Most patients who have their teeth treated get to continue enjoying them for the rest of their lives with the proper care and maintenance after the procedure.      

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy in Owings Mills is a common procedure that has allowed countless patients to preserve their natural teeth and repair the shape and strength of them. We typically recommend the procedure when our patients have an infection that has resulted from trauma, such as a broken tooth, or deep decay that has been left untreated. Without timely treatment, the infection can spread to other teeth and result in a tooth extraction, which is why we act quickly to keep your natural tooth intact and healthy.

The procedure will begin with us numbing the area surrounding your infected tooth using local anesthesia. That way, you’re not going to feel any pain throughout the rest of the procedure. We’ll make a small incision into your damaged tooth that will allow us access to the inner chamber, where your infected pulp is located. Using small instruments that are specially designed for this procedure, we’ll remove the pulp and sanitize the inner tooth to remove any sign of harmful oral bacteria and prevent future issues from arising. Using a moldable putty called composite resin, we’ll fill your tooth and restore its shape. Finally, we’ll place a strong, customized dental crown atop your treated tooth for added protection and restored function.

Signs You Need Root Canal Therapy

Most patients who need root canal therapy experience severe toothaches that keep them up at night or prevent them from being able to focus at school or work. However, there are several other symptoms that patients can experience that may signify the need for this treatment, including:

• Sensitivity to foods or drinks that are hot or cold.
• Pain while biting down.
• Swollen or red gums near the affected tooth.
• A pimple-like bump on the gums near the damaged tooth.

As soon as you notice any of these signs, contact our office immediately so we can schedule an emergency appointment to treat the issue as soon as possible.

Tips For a Fast Recovery

The best way to make a fast recovery after your root canal is to follow any aftercare instructions that we provide you with. You can also contact our office if you have any questions or concerns following your treatment. In the meantime, here are some basic maintenance tips to ensure that your mouth heals properly:

• Keep up with your dental hygiene routine to prevent infections from occurring. Just be sure to gently brush around your treated tooth.
• If possible, take a day or two off of work to allow yourself to rest and heal.
• Avoid chewing on the same side of your mouth as your treated tooth.
• Manage your pain with over-the-counter medication or a prescription provided by us.
• Avoid strenuous activity if possible.

Although root canal therapy in Owings Mills can seem like a daunting procedure, it can help get your oral health back on track and preserve your natural smile for years to come! Don’t hesitate to contact our office with any questions or to schedule an appointment.