But how do you know if you need a root canal? When is the procedure really necessary? Check out this blog post to find out!

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a special procedure used to treat a badly infected tooth or a tooth with a very large cavity.

Tooth decay happens when harmful bacteria that are already present in the mouth break out tooth enamel and make their way inside it. Over time, bacteria will continue to attack the more vulnerable tissues in the tooth and multiply.

A root canal is designed to remove all bacteria and decayed tissue from a tooth, including what may be in the narrow chambers of the root, which are called the canals.

How Does a Root Canal Work?

A root canal is usually done in the following steps:

• Tooth inspection: First, the dentist will take an X-ray of the tooth to determine the size of the cavity or infection. Sometimes, if the damage is severe, the dentist can recommend a permanent tooth extraction, as a root canal might not be enough to save the tooth.
• Tooth cleaning: Then the dentist will numb your mouth and drill the tooth to reveal the bacteria. Then they begin to slowly remove it, along with the decayed tissues and even the nerves.
• Disinfection: Removing all decay doesn’t mean the tooth is free of infection. The dentist will also apply a disinfectant to kill off any remaining bacteria.
• Reconstruction: Once the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, the dentist seals the canals and the area behind it to rebuild the tooth. This can either happen with a simple filling or a dental crown if the tooth loses a lot of tissue.

Many root canals are done in just one visit. However, severe infections could also require antibiotic therapy, which can delay your root canal in Port Orange.

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

Here’s how to tell if you’re dealing with a tooth infection and may need a root canal:

• Severe pain and swelling
• Sharp pain when applying pressure to the tooth (such as when eating)
• Sensitivity to heat or cold
• Abscess formation
• Red and tender gums around the tooth
• Cracked tooth
• Loose teeth, etc.

If you notice any of these signs, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.

Reach Out to Smillie Dental Today

Think you might need a root canal? Then don’t wait.

If you’re in a lot of pain and discomfort, Dr. Joseph Smillie and Dr. Helen Smillie can see you right away for an emergency root canal.

Call them at (386) 317-4754 as soon as possible for immediate care.

If you need a regular appointment, you can request a visit to Smillie Dental online.

The post When Do You Need a Root Canal? appeared first on Smillie Dental.

If you are scheduled for a root canal at Smillie Dental or another practice in the Port Orange area, you might be wondering if you’ll be able to drive yourself home.

The short answer is that, in most cases, yes, you can.

Keep reading to learn more.

Why You Sometimes Can’t Drive Home After Dental Work

Not all dental visits end up with a friend driving you home. In fact, this scenario has less to do with the procedure you’ll undergo and more with whether you’ll be sedated for it.

Dental sedation is a crucial part of oral health. It helps people remain calm and relaxed during their appointment, which is why it’s recommended in the following cases:

• Severe gag reflex
• Dental anxiety
• Young children who cannot sit through a dental appointment
• Patients with disabilities that make it difficult for them to lie still
• Lengthy or complex dental work, etc.

If you are in any of these categories, you might require dental sedation, which means you may need someone to drive you home.

But it can depend on the type of sedation you receive.

Which Sedatives Require a Lift From a Friend?

There are four types of dental sedation. The most common one is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.

It’s a mild sedative that only affects the patient as long as the gas is in their system. But, at the end of their appointment, they will breathe in oxygen, which helps remove all traces of the gas from their system.

Most patients have no problems driving themselves home after receiving laughing gas since they will be fully sober at the end of their appointment.

With other types of sedation, such as oral conscious or IV sedation, the effects last for longer. The dentist will recommend having someone drive you home.

Can You Drive After a Root Canal?

You can most likely drive yourself home after a root canal in Port Orange. Unless you receive a stronger sedative, like oral conscious or IV sedation, you will be perfectly alert and capable of driving.

Note that you might not require sedation for a root canal at all. The procedure can be done under a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during it.

Sedation is used to help you feel relaxed, but if you don’t need it, you can choose to skip it.

Need a Root Canal? Smillie Dental Can Help

If you have a badly infected tooth or a large cavity, come see Dr. Joseph Smillie or Dr. Helen Smillie to find out if you need a root canal or access another way to restore your oral health.

Request a visit to Smillie Dental online or call us at (386) 317-4754 for more information.

The post Can You Drive After a Root Canal? appeared first on Smillie Dental.

In some cases, the hole can be so large that patients will need a dental crown to restore the tooth. And while the role of a crown is to protect the natural tooth from further decay, some might still need another root canal after the crown was placed.

But can a dentist do a root canal in Port Orange without removing the crown?

The answer is: it depends. Keep reading to learn more.

How Is a Root Canal Done Through a Crown?

Dental crowns protect a natural tooth from being exposed to bacteria. However, without good oral hygiene, bacteria can still accumulate around the crown, affect the gums, and even get under the crown.

As a result, the tooth can become infected again and need another root canal. In some cases, the dentist may attempt the procedure through the dental crown. The process is identical to how they would treat a natural tooth.

The dentist drills a hole in the dental crown and begins to remove the infected pulp. Then, they add a filling to fill the hole.

If the damage is severe, however, the dentist will likely need to remove the dental crown to get better access to the infection.

What Happens When You Remove a Dental Crown?

Sometimes, removing a dental crown won’t damage the prosthetic. The dentist can attempt to drill through it with a tool, clean it, and once the root canal procedure is done, they can cement it over the tooth again.

If the dental crown is damaged during the removal process, however, then your only other option is to have it replaced. The dentist will take an impression of the tooth and send it to the lab, which can take around 2-3 weeks to have a new crown made.

How to Properly Care for a Dental Crown

To avoid this scenario, it’s important to take a few precautions to care for the crown and your overall oral health:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss daily
• Use fluoride products
• Stop smoking and reduce your sugar intake
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
• Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth while sleeping
• See the dentist routinely for check-ups and professional cleanings

Dealing with a Tooth Infection? We Can Help

If your tooth is infected, Dr. Joseph Smillie and Dr. Helen Smillie can treat it even if you have a dental crown. They may attempt to drill through the crown or help you get a new one in just one day, thanks to CEREC.

To get started, you can book an appointment at Smillie Dental online or call us at (386) 317-4754 today.

The post Can a Root Canal Be Done Through a Crown? appeared first on Smillie Dental.

Is It Normal for My Tooth to Hurt After Root Canal Therapy?

If you have recently had your root canal at Smillie Dental, a little bit of pain and discomfort is normal as you heal. Usually, this will be quite minor. Your tooth may feel sore and tender, and you should be able to mitigate the pain with over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or naproxen. 

There are a couple of reasons this may happen. First, though the nerve-filled “pulp” is removed from your tooth, there are still other nerves and sensitive tissues near the canal of your tooth, and these can be irritated and become swollen or inflamed after your endodontic treatment, causing some minor discomfort.

In addition, because sharp dental instruments are used to clean out the tooth, it’s possible for a little bit of minor trauma to occur to the surrounding gum tissue while the root canals are cleaned out by Dr. Joseph Smillie.

Overall, though, you don’t need to worry. If you feel some minor pain and sensitivity for a few days, this is normal, and will fade over time as your mouth recovers from your root canal treatment.

Experiencing Severe Pain After a Root Canal? When to Worry and Seek Follow-up Care at Smillie Dental

So, when should you start to worry if you’re experiencing pain and discomfort after a root canal? If you feel severe, sharp pain, your toothache persists, or your pain continues to last for more than 1 week after your root canal has been performed at Smillie Dental, you should get a follow-up with Dr. Joseph Smillie.

If you continue to experience severe pain, it’s likely that the original infection was not completely removed during the initial root canal treatment. This usually happens if a tooth was cracked or damaged and this was not noticed during the treatment, or if it has a hidden root canal that was not cleaned out during the initial treatment.

If your tooth really hurts, make sure to schedule a follow-up right away. Dr. Smillie will likely recommend root canal retreatment to open the tooth back up and clean it out even more thoroughly. In the vast majority of cases, this will resolve your pain and keep your tooth healthy.

Don’t Ignore Your Tooth Pain – Get Help If You Need It!

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. So whether you’ve gotten a root canal at Smillie Dental or with another local dentist, it’s important to get follow-up care as soon as you can if you are feeling a lot of pain in your tooth. Contact us online or give us a call at (386) 317-4754 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Smillie now!

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