Relieve Your Tooth Pain
At Sterling Heights Dentistry, Dr. Hindi and our excellent dental team are committed to helping patients put an end to any tooth pain they’re suffering from. Oral infections can hinder your daily routine and negatively impact your oral health. That’s why we offer root canal therapy to alleviate your pain and save your natural tooth from extraction.
You don’t need to live with the sensitivity and pain of a tooth infection. Learn more about root canal therapy with Dr. Hindi by reading our patient-friendly guide below.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a restorative treatment used when a crack or cavity has been left untreated long enough for bacteria to reach the center of a tooth. Dr. Hindi utilizes a special dental file to remove decayed tissue and infection from within the tooth pulp. This area, called the pulp chamber, is the interior layer of the tooth that contains the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
Our root canal therapy procedure allows Dr. Hindi to remove the infected tissue of the tooth to preserve its health. The pain caused by the infection will subside and the tooth will be spared from extraction.
Symptoms of an Oral Infection
If tooth decay is left untreated, bacteria can quickly spread to the pulp of your tooth and cause an infection. While some patients don’t notice any symptoms, various signs indicate that you may need root canal therapy, including:
- Severe toothache, especially when chewing
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Tooth discoloration
- Swollen or tender gums around the tooth
- An abscess on the gums
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Deep cavities from decay
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please contact our Sterling Heights office at (586) 939-5151 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Hindi and our wonderful team will be sure to get your oral health back on track.
The Root Canal Therapy Process
Dr. Hindi is a compassionate practitioner who is first and foremost concerned with your comfort. Before your root canal procedure, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and gums to ensure a pain-free treatment. Throughout the entirety of your procedure, our team will remain in constant communication with you.
Dr. Hindi will complete your root canal treatment in the following steps:
- After the surgical site is numb, we’ll start by drilling a small hole into the crown of your affected tooth.
- We’ll remove the infected pulp and sterilize the root canals.
- The pulp will be replaced with a rubber-like material — called gutta-percha — to keep the tooth solid and prevent reinfection.
- We’ll place a temporary filling in the crown to protect your tooth until your permanent restoration is ready.
- Once your permanent restoration is ready, you’ll return to our Sterling Heights office for placement and a personalized crown will restore your natural smile appearance.
Root Canal Aftercare
Once your root canal procedure is complete, you can return to your normal routine of brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Make sure to be careful around any sensitive areas and to avoid pulling your floss up towards your temporary restoration, or you risk pulling it out.
It’s normal to experience some discomfort for the first few days after your procedure. To ease any discomfort, try rinsing with lukewarm saltwater. You can also alleviate any pain with over-the-counter pain relievers.
When it comes to eating after a root canal treatment, we recommend sticking to soft foods to avoid irritation and allow your mouth to properly heal. Refrain from eating until any numbness wears off so you don’t accidentally bite or disturb the surgical site.
Here are some foods we recommend for patients recovering after root canal therapy:
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Smoothies
- Protein Shakes
- Yogurt
- Ice Cream
- Eggs
- Mashed Potatoes
- Oatmeal
You’ll also want to avoid hot food and beverages, drinking through straws, and refrain from smoking for the first 72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Root canal therapy is completed over two appointments at our Sterling Heights office. Each appointment will typically last for about 45 minutes. However, the exact duration of your treatment will depend on several factors, such as the amount of infection and decay. For a more accurate timeframe, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hindi by calling (586) 939-5151.
During your consultation, Dr. Hindi will examine your oral health and create a customized treatment plan that will include a more accurate timeframe.
While root canal therapy has a reputation for being painful, today’s advanced techniques will make your treatment virtually painless. Before your procedure, Dr. Hindi will numb the targeted tooth and the gums around it so you won’t feel a thing. After the treatment, you can expect to feel some sensitivity. However, any discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
If your pain persists longer than a week following your procedure, contact our Sterling Heights office so we can investigate the cause of your pain and ensure the infection hasn’t returned.
Infection Stops Here
Dr. Hindi wants her patients to thrive and smile without any pain. If you need root canal therapy, contact our office as soon as possible to schedule your appointment. Call our Sterling Heights office at (586) 939-5151 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you. You can also reach out through our online contact form and we’ll get back to you shortly.