What Is Root Canal Therapy and What Are the Alternative Options?

General & Cosmetic Dentists Serving Omaha, Bellevue, Lincoln and Nearby Nebraska

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Posted: February 14, 2023
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face of beautiful woman showing her teethRoot canal therapy is a procedure used to treat damaged or infected teeth. During this procedure, your dentist removes the infected tissue from the inside of your tooth and replaces it with a material called gutta percha. This prevents bacteria from reaching the inner parts of your tooth and causing further damage, resulting in the need to permanently extract the natural tooth. At Hillsborough Family Dentistry of Omaha, NE, we provide this treatment for patients who are looking to save their natural tooth within the smile while addressing the pain and discomfort that brings them into our facility.

What Can I Expect From Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a common procedure that can be performed by your dentist in just one visit to our office. During the procedure, you will be given local anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment and do not experience any pain or discomfort. The dental pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth, the mass of tissues that include the blood supply, nerves, and the inner canals of the tooth are thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. Then, gutta percha is put in place, which seals the canals and fills the tooth to give it substance. Once the procedure is completed, your dentist will place a temporary dental crown and filling on your tooth to prevent bacteria from entering while it heals. Another appointment may be needed to place a dental crown, which further protects the tooth from breakage as it now may be more brittle and susceptible to damage.

How Do I Know if I Need Root Canal Therapy?

If you have an infection or a very large filling that has become problematic, root canal therapy is often the treatment of choice. This treatment allows you to maintain the natural tooth in place. There are no other alternative treatment options in these situations except for the permanent extraction and replacement of the tooth. This can be costly to perform, and replacement options such as bridges and dentures need to be replaced regularly throughout your lifetime. Root canal therapy is ideal when compared to the concerns of removing the tooth for good.

Call Today To Learn More!

Contact Hillsborough Family Dentistry today to request a consultation appointment with our team at any of our four convenient locations throughout the Omaha metro area. Many families choose our practice, rated Best of Omaha for several years straight!

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