Root Canal Treatment – Hillsboro, OR
Saving Your Natural Tooth &
Relieving Painful Toothaches
Root canals are one of the most widely misunderstood dental procedures because there’s so many myths circulated about them. Many patients become scared when they hear that they need one, but truthfully, there’s no reason to be! Although this treatment is rumored to be “painful”, it actually helps relieve discomfort from severe toothaches and preserve our patients’ natural teeth. If you’re experiencing a severe and throbbing pain in your tooth, contact our office immediately so we can diagnose the issue and provide you with root canal treatment in Hillsboro before it gets any worse.
Why Choose Wolfe Dental Hillsboro for Root Canal Treatment?
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Get Rid of
Painful Toothaches
Caused by Infections -
We Offer
Dental
Sedation -
CEREC
Same-Day
Crowns Available
The Root
Canal Procedure
The root canal procedure is relatively simple and straightforward. Dr. Wolfe will access the inner chamber of your tooth where your pulp is hidden from the top, biting surface of the structure. He’ll remove the infected pulp that’s causing your pain and sanitize the chamber to make sure that no harmful bacteria linger. We’ll rebuild the structure of your tooth using a substance called gutta percha, and finally, top it off with a custom-crafted dental crown to restore your tooth’s strength.
Why Do You Need a Root Canal?
The most common reason why our patients require this procedure is due to a tooth infection. When untreated cavities are left to develop, they carve out decayed pathways in your tooth that provide harmful oral bacteria access to more vulnerable structures located inside of it, like your pulp. Once they access this chamber, you may experience a severe toothache, since your pulp consists of soft tissue and nerves. This is the point where many patients call us and schedule an emergency appointment because they’re in so much discomfort. Root canal treatment allows us to stop the infection from spreading and save your natural tooth from needing to be extracted.
Root Canal FAQs
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
Since it’s best not to eat anything immediately following the procedure, we usually encourage our patients to have a healthy, well-balanced meal beforehand. That said, there are some exceptions. For example, if you’re being sedated, then we may ask you to fast to prevent you from feeling nauseous during your time in the treatment chair.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Although antibiotics can treat bacterial infections in almost every other part of the body, they cannot eliminate an infection in your tooth. The reason for this is simple: the medication travels through your bloodstream, and your bloodstream doesn’t reach the pulp. So, while antibiotics are sometimes used in tandem with root canal treatment in Hillsboro, they are not a suitable replacement.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Actually, yes! If you want to avoid needing a root canal, it’s important to prioritize preventive care. That starts with healthy habits at home, like brushing and flossing consistently, and extends to wearing a mouthguard during sports. Make sure that you also prioritize your biannual dental checkups every six months, and that you get in touch with us sooner if you start to experience warning signs of trouble, like pain when biting down.
Are Root Canals Safe During Pregnancy?
According to the American Dental Association and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, root canals can be performed safely during pregnancy. That said, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to let us know! Our Hillsboro dental team would be happy to provide you with the answers you’re looking for as well as further insight into the treatment process.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
Back in the 1920s, a dentist named Dr. Weston Price claimed that root canal treatment didn’t remove all of the bacteria in an infected tooth, so it was better to have it extracted. Although his research has been disproven time and time again, the rumor that root canals lead to illness still persists. That’s why it’s so important to bring any questions or concerns you have to us! From there, we can review all of your treatment options, discuss your dental needs more in-depth, and share all of the benefits of root canals.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
This is a very common question, and the answer is simple: pain isn’t the only warning sign of dental damage. In fact, some patients who need a root canal don’t experience any pain, discomfort, or soreness because the nerve of their tooth is dead! For this reason, we need to keep an eye out for other abnormal symptoms during your exam, including dark discoloration on one of your teeth or a pimple-like bump on your gums.