A root canal is used to treat an infection of the pulp inside a tooth. The pulp is a soft tissue made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. It extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of its roots. The pulp can become irritated and inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, a crack or chip in the tooth, or an injury that causes trauma to the mouth. 

When an infection develops, patients often experience intense pain when eating hot or cold foods or drinking hot or cold beverages. Other symptoms include prolonged sensitivity, swelling near the tooth, discoloration of the tooth, and tenderness around the affected area.

What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?

While the idea of a root canal may seem scary, the treatment is actually quite simple and painless for patients. Our dentist in Greenbelt, MD, will begin by numbing the tooth and the surrounding area so that you are comfortable during the procedure. 

Once you are ready, we will drill a small hole into your tooth to access the inner chamber that contains the pulp. We will remove the damaged or diseased tissue before cleaning and disinfecting the area. Finally, we will place a special material into the tooth to seal it and stop future infections from affecting the area. 

In most cases, the dentist will then cap the tooth with a dental crown to protect it and restore its appearance. 

This dental treatment typically requires between one and two appointments to complete and provides immediate relief to patients with lingering tooth pain.

What Should I Expect After a Root Canal Procedure?

A tooth with a diseased or inflamed pulp often requires root canal therapy to keep it viable in the jaw. After the procedure, the tooth is weaker and more prone to fracture from chewing forces than a healthy tooth. This is why our dentist in Greenbelt, MD, caps the tooth with a crown after the procedure.

Make sure you avoid hard foods for the first few days after treatment and don’t chew on the treated tooth until it has completely healed. The remaining tooth structure also requires more care during brushing and flossing to help prevent decay. If you’re experiencing ongoing pain after the procedure, we recommend contacting our dentist in Greenbelt, MD.

Want to learn more about our dental procedures? Call us at (301) 321-9966 or visit our dental office located at 7501 Greenway Center Dr Suite 260, Greenbelt, MD 20770.