Root Canals

Root canal therapy can help you avoid years of massive complications from an infected tooth, including abscesses and jawbone injury. At Frontier Family Dental in Graham, Washington, expert dentist Seung Jae (David) Joung, DMD, provides root canal therapy after careful examination of your teeth. Call Frontier Family Dental or book your appointment online for an examination today!

What are root canals?

Root canals are treatments for inflammation or infection inside one of your teeth. Inside each tooth is a collection of soft tissue, including a nerve, called the pulp. An adult tooth can survive without this tissue, which is why a root canal involves removing it. 

You might need a root canal if you crack a tooth and bacteria seeps in, but breaking a tooth isn’t the only way to experience inflammation. If a tooth is hit with force but doesn’t break, the inside pulp can still become inflamed. 

If you need a root canal and don’t get it, the consequences can be severe. You might develop a tooth abscess which is far more painful and challenging to treat. 

How can I tell if I need a root canal?

When you need a root canal, many symptoms can occur. Even if you haven’t experienced any symptoms yet, your dentist can detect the issue during a routine cleaning and exam at Frontier Family Dental.

You should book an appointment right away if you experience symptoms like:

• Severe toothache
• Pain when you bite down
• Prolonged tooth sensitivity
• Dark tooth discoloration
• Gum swelling
• Pimples on your gums

Since there are sometimes no symptoms present, it’s important to keep up with your routine dental visits every six months so your dentist can detect pulp inflammation and other oral health complications. 

What should I expect during my root canal?

You might have the impression that root canals are painful. While root canals may have been painful in the past, this isn’t the case today. Frontier Family Dental offers local anesthesia for root canals and you can opt for mild sedation if you’re concerned about any additional discomfort during your visit. 

During the root canal, your dentist creates a small hole in the tooth so they can remove the inflamed tissue from the inside. They clean and seal the interior of the tooth before filling it with dental composite. The entire process can take as many as three visits, but can often be completed in one appointment. 

Schedule your next visit over the phone or online at Frontier Family Dental to find out if you need a root canal today.