A root canal is a dental procedure to treat a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp—the living tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. By removing the affected pulp, a dentist can stop further decay, relieve pain (often severe), and preserve part of the natural tooth.
What to Expect from a Root Canal Procedure
The dentist begins by cleaning the tooth and numbing the area with local anesthetic. Using special tools, they remove the damaged pulp, clean the empty space, and seal it to prevent further infection. This creates a stable environment for healthy tissue to grow back.
After the procedure, patients typically take antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medication, with recovery lasting seven to ten days. Once healed, the tooth is sealed with a filling or capped with a crown to restore its function and durability.
Why Is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
A root canal is required when bacteria enter a tooth through a crack or untreated cavity, causing “pulpitis,” an inflammation and infection of the pulp. Symptoms include toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, and jaw pain. Left untreated, pulpitis can develop into an abscess (a pus-filled infection) and result in tooth loss.
Pain-Free Root Canal Treatment in Camas, WA
If you’re looking for a dentist in Camas, WA who will take every precaution to ensure your comfort and top-quality care throughout the root canal process, contact Dr. Demian Woyciehowsky and the friendly and caring Camas Dentistry team to schedule a consultation.