Root Canal Therapy – New Bedford, MA
Nothing to Fear
When a tooth develops an infection deep inside the dental pulp (the innermost layer of a tooth), this usually causes quite a bit of pain because this is where the delicate nerve is located. Rather than just extracting the tooth like dentists of the past, we can fully repair it with root canal therapy. Thankfully, using the latest tools and techniques, this often-feared procedure is now reliable, safe, and relatively painless. Patients are amazed at how easy it is, and afterward, they are so thankful for the relief it provides. If you have a toothache that just won’t go away, give us a call today—a root canal might be exactly what you need!
Why Choose Clear Coast Dental for Root Canal Therapy?
- Patient comfort is priority #1
- Able to save extremely damaged teeth from extraction
- Highly-skilled & experienced team
Root Canal FAQs
Are you anxious about getting a root canal in New Bedford? When you don’t know many details about the procedure, it can leave a lot up to the imagination, making you worry even more. At Clear Coast Dental, we do everything we can to make you feel comfortable and relaxed during your procedure. That’s why we’ve answered some common questions we get from our patients below, to ease any stress or anxiety you have about root canals.
Do I need sedation dentistry for a root canal?
The great news about root canals is that although they have a bad reputation of being painful, they’re actually not. At Clear Coast Dental, we go out of our way to ensure that our patients experience virtually no pain during their procedure. However, if you’re suffering from anxiety before your appointment, you may benefit from sedation dentistry techniques to ease your worries. That way, you can get a decent night of rest the day before your procedure and arrive to our office feeling ready to tackle your oral health problem.
Is a root canal my only option?
When tooth infections are left untreated, they will only get worse. A severe toothache that landed you into our office in the first place will eventually spread to other teeth, and can even cause your tooth to die, resulting in the need for an extraction if a root canal isn’t performed.
When you take care of the problem with a root canal, you can preserve your natural tooth, restore your oral health, and prevent any additional damage from occurring. However, when you wait until you need a tooth extraction, you’ll need to replace your missing tooth with a restoration, which means that you can expect multiple additional visits to our office. Not to mention, a tooth extraction will require additional recovery time and can impact the alignment and health of your surrounding teeth if you don’t fill the gap in your smile.
What is the recovery process for root canal therapy?
Most of our patients report slight tenderness and sensitivity for a few days following their procedure, but it’s typically nothing that can’t be managed with over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. For the most part, this discomfort only lasts for about three days as your tooth heals and your mouth adjusts.
To help with any swelling, you can place an ice pack on your cheek or jaw for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. It’s also important to continue brushing and flossing daily, just be sure to be gentle until your discomfort subsides.
How can I tell if I need a root canal?
There are several signs that could point to you needing a root canal. However, one of the most common ones that we see at our office is a severe toothache. Some other symptoms to look out for include:
- Extreme tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
- Discoloring teeth.
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums.
- Pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth.
If you notice any of these, be sure to contact our office immediately. We’ll fit you in that same day so we can tackle the problem before it causes additional damage and ease your pain.
