Root Canal Therapy
Dentist in Burlington
Root canal therapy treats the center, or pulp, of a tooth that is inflamed, infected or dead. The pulp is a soft substance consisting of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.
When symptoms of infection are present, these include visible injury or swelling, a gum boil, sensitivity to temperature, or pain in the tooth and gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Mary H. Makhlouf DMD, MS, PA for a consultation.
Root canal therapy involves removing the pulp from the tooth chamber and canals. We then clean the canals with a disinfecting solution. During your root canal therapy, we will provide local anesthesia or sedation to ensure your complete comfort.
After treatment, we may place a temporary filling to protect your tooth until your restoration is complete. Follow our post op instructions for optimal results:
- Sensitivity should subside after a few days.
- Take your prescribed medication as directed.
- Because a temporary filling is on the tooth, do not bite hard for one hour after your appointment. Once the permanent filling is in place, chew carefully on the opposite side of your mouth.
- Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
- Any soreness, should go away in a few days.
- Brush and floss gently the first day or 2, because your gum around that tooth may be sore.
- Remember that a temporary filling will no longer protect your tooth against germs after 6 weeks or so. You must therefore make plans for a permanent restoration with that time frame.
Root canal therapy can help preserve your tooth for a lifetime. Contact our office today for a consultation with Dr. Mary Makhlouf.
