You have been given a durable, long-lasting smile, but sadly, your teeth and gums can be attacked by decay, gum disease, accident, and more. If you have a tooth in jeopardy, your dentist, Dr. Timothy Lethin, could save it with root canal therapy. Performed in his Anchorage, AK, office, root canal therapy saves smiles, preserving them for many years of additional service.
Root canal therapy works
But, exactly what is involved in the treatment? To begin, your dentist examines and X-rays a compromised tooth to decide if root canal therapy is the right choice for treatment. In cases of mild injury or a cavity, a root canal is generally prescribed, as this simple operation can save your tooth from having to be extracted.
Here's how the procedure works:
- The dentist isolates your tooth with a rubber dam and numbs the area with local anesthetic.
- He accesses the interior pulp chamber and narrow root canals, extracting the inflamed soft tissue and disinfecting these tiny spaces.
- Gutta-percha, a natural putty, fills and seals each root canal.
- Dr. Lethin covers the tooth with a temporary cap.
- After the site heals (in a week or so), you return to the Anchorage office where your dentist removes the temporary cap, replacing it with a lifelike crown.
After your root canal...
Most root canal procedures succeed, says the American Association of Endodontists. They relieve pain and dental sensitivity, heal infection, and strengthen the tooth structure. Your tooth will bite well and look just like your other healthy teeth.
To care for your fully restored tooth, floss around it daily to remove plaque. Brush twice daily with a soft brush, and of course, see Dr. Lethin twice a year for a professional cleaning and check-up.
Don't wait on root canal therapy
If you have dental pain, sensitivity, or other symptoms, please contact your Anchorage, AK dentist, Dr. Timothy Lethin. Save your smile! Call for an appointment: 907-337-9474.