Root Canal Therapy

Up to 15 million Americans undergo root canals each year. At Smiles for Maple Valley, in Maple Valley, Washington, Narges Lotfi, DDS, performs root canal therapy to address damaged or infected teeth, preventing the need for extractions. Thanks to modern techniques, the procedure is quick and pain-free. To request a root canal consultation, call the office today or book online.

What are root canals?

A root canal is an outpatient procedure that removes the pulp –– a mixture of nerves, soft tissue, and blood vessels –– from the center of a tooth. Removing the pulp stops harmful bacteria from spreading, preventing infection while preserving your natural tooth. 

When are root canals necessary?

Smiles for Maple Valley performs root canal therapy to treat damaged or infected tooth pulp caused by:

• An untreated cavity
• A chipped or cracked tooth
• Extensive dental work
• Oral trauma

If you have tooth pain, tooth hypersensitivity, or swelling, contact Smiles for Maple Valley immediately.

What do root canals involve?

At Smiles for Maple Valley, root canal therapy may take one or two visits.

Your provider reviews your dental records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an oral exam. They also take a series of 3D X-rays, including cone-beam computed tomography. If the X-rays reveal infected or inflamed tooth pulp, you need root canal treatment.

Your provider numbs your mouth with an anesthetic and uses special tools to remove the pulp from the center of your tooth. Then, they rinse out the inside of your tooth with an antiseptic solution and fill it with a material called gutta-percha.

When the gutta-percha dries, your provider uses an intraoral scanner to take a digital impression. Then, they upload the impression to the CEREC® milling machine. The machine uses the impression to mill a custom crown from a ceramic block.

The CEREC machine finishes your crown about 90 minutes later, at which time your provider bonds it on top of your treated tooth. Your provider completes the treatment by checking your bite and providing recovery instructions.

What is recovery like after root canals?

After a root canal, you may have some mild swelling and increased tooth sensitivity when the anesthetic wears off. Take it easy for the rest of the day, get lots of rest, and drink plenty of water. Avoid biting down on your new crown for at least 24 hours. Your provider might also ask you to eat soft foods for several days, like scrambled eggs, soup, or mashed potatoes.

To learn more about root canals, call Smiles for Maple Valley and make an appointment or book online today.