Root Canal Treatment Specialist in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK

A root canal is considered a serious dental procedure. However, it is also a procedure that dentists and endodontists handle with success each day. As a serious dental procedure involving oral surgery, dentists and endodontists administer anesthesia to each patient before performing root canal procedures. As such, it is no more painful than any other dental procedure. That said, it is normal to experience some discomfort in the treatment area once the anesthesia wears off. This discomfort can last for a few days after the procedure. 

Root canal procedures are performed whenever there is an issue with the pulp inside your tooth. “Tooth pulp” is an accumulation of connective tissue located at each tooth’s center. This connective tissue consists of numerous blood vessels and nerves. Since the tooth nerves reside in the pulp, it can cause significant pain if the tooth pulp is damaged, diseased, or infected. 

Moreover, the presence of blood vessels in the pulp means that the tooth pulp is the portion of your tooth that is alive. Thus, problems within the pulp can lead to a dead tooth if appropriate measures, such as a root canal, are not taken. 

If your dentist suspects that you need a root canal, they will take dental X-rays of the affected tooth to evaluate the extent of the damage and make sure a root canal is the right option. 

Here are some steps that your dentist or endodontist will take to perform root canal surgery: 

• Administer anesthesia: Your dentist or endodontist will administer local anesthesia to numb the surrounding gums and affected tooth. If you deal with dental anxiety, let your dentist know and they can provide oral or intravenous (IV) sedation to help you relax during the procedure.
• Isolate the tooth: Before your root canal specialist begins the procedure, they will place a rubber dam over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it dry as they operate on it.
• Create an access hole: With the affected tooth isolated, your root canal specialist will drill a small opening into the crown of the affected tooth to access the pulp.
• Remove the pulp: Once the access hole is made, the dentist or endodontist will use tiny instruments to remove the infected nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues within the pulp.
• Enlarge the canals: After removing the pulp, your dentist or endodontist will clean, disinfect, and enlarge the canals so there is enough room to fill them.
• Fill the canals: Next, your dentist or endodontist will fill the canals with a flexible and rubbery substance called gutta-percha that will help seal the tooth pulp.
• Seal the tooth: The specialist will finish the sealing by placing a filling within the tooth to prevent bacteria from re-entering and infecting the tooth again. 
• Place a dental crown: With most root canals, the final step is to place a dental crown on top of the tooth to restore your bite. This step may take two to three weeks after treatment to complete as you wait for the crown to be fabricated.

Your root canal specialist will provide you with all the necessary precautions to take after root canal treatment, but here are some precautions they might recommend: 

• Wait until the numbness fades before eating
• Avoid eating or biting with the treated tooth until all tenderness and discomfort fades
• Keep your head elevated when sleeping
• Gargle with warm, saltwater
• Consider using over-the-counter medication to relieve pain
• Use cold compresses to keep swelling down
• Avoid foods and beverages that cause inflammation
• Avoid strenuous activity for at least two days after the procedure
• Call your dentist right away if you experience complications or unexpected symptoms

Although rare, the infection can occur after a root canal. If an infection occurs after a root canal, your dentist or endodontist may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. If the antibiotics fail, they may need to re-treat the tooth or drain the fluid from the area to facilitate blood flow to the area. If these measures fail, apical surgery may be necessary, also known as an apicoectomy. This surgery involves the removal of the root tip to eliminate the infection and save the tooth. 

Learn more about root canal treatment at Four Corners Dental Group or schedule an appointment with one of our specialists through our website or by calling us today! We have convenient locations to serve you in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK. We serve patients from Anchorage, Wasilla, Knik-Fairview, Meadow Lakes, Campbell, Spenard AK, and surrounding areas.