Root canal treatment in Johns Creek

A root canal can save a tooth that would otherwise be lost, and with the tooth numbed most patients find it feels about like getting a filling. Tooth hurting now? Call us.

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What is a root canal?

Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerve and blood vessels called the pulp. Deep decay, a crack, a broken filling or a hard knock can leave it inflamed or infected, and once it's infected it can't heal on its own.

A root canal removes the damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the canals inside the root, and seals them. The outside of the tooth stays, so you keep your tooth and it keeps doing its job.

What happens if it's left alone

Mild inflammation can sometimes settle, but infected pulp is sealed inside hard tooth structure and can't recover. Left alone, the infection works down through the root and into the bone, where it forms an abscess.

How do I know if I need one?

A toothache that's severe, or that keeps you up at night
A tooth that hurts when you bite or chew
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the food or drink is gone
A pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth, sometimes with a bad taste
Swelling or tenderness in the gum or jaw
A tooth that's turned gray or dark

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and we find the problem on an X-ray at a routine checkup.

Not sure what's causing the pain? Text or call and describe it.

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What to expect

The procedure

Usually one to three visits, with the tooth thoroughly numbed.

Step by step

We start with X-rays to see the shape of the roots and how far the infection has gone. Then we numb the tooth and place a rubber dam, a small sheet that keeps it isolated and dry.

Through a small opening in the top of the tooth, we remove the pulp and any decay, then clean and shape each canal. The canals are sealed with gutta-percha, a rubbery material, and the opening is closed with a filling. If the tooth needs time to settle first, we place a temporary filling and finish at the next visit.

The tooth may be tender for a few days afterward. Over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it.

Why a back tooth usually needs a crown afterward

A treated back tooth is weaker; a crown holds it together so it doesn't crack. Front teeth often need only a filling.

More about crowns after a root canal

Decay, cracks and the treatment itself take structure away, and back teeth take a lot of chewing force. Which restoration is right depends on how much sound tooth is left, but for molars it's nearly always a crown, and getting it done promptly is what protects the work.

Can't I just have the tooth pulled?

Sometimes that's the right call, but saving the tooth is usually the better deal.

Why we usually save the tooth

Pulling a tooth that could have been treated usually costs more in the long run. The teeth on either side drift into the gap, the bite changes, and you're then looking at an implant or a bridge to replace it.

What about a cracked tooth?

Cracks are common, especially if you grind or clench, chew ice, or have large old fillings. The tell-tale sign is a sharp pain when you bite down or release the bite, often with temperature sensitivity and trouble pointing to which tooth hurts. Treatment depends on where the crack runs:

Craze lines are tiny surface cracks in the enamel. Nearly everyone has them, and they don't need treatment.
Cracks confined to the crown of the tooth can usually be fixed with a filling or a crown.
Cracks that reach the pulp need a root canal and a crown to save the tooth.
Cracks that extend below the gumline or split the root often can't be saved, and the tooth has to be removed and replaced.

The earlier a crack is treated, the more options there are. If biting has started to hurt, don't wait for it to get worse.

A tooth got knocked out. What do I do?

This applies to adult teeth only. Never put a baby tooth back in; call a dentist instead.

Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently with water if it's dirty, without scrubbing, and if you can, put it back in the socket and hold it there. If you can't, keep it in milk or a tooth-preservation solution from a pharmacy.

Get to a dentist immediately, ideally within half an hour. Call us; if we can't see you right away or we're closed, go to the nearest emergency dentist rather than waiting.

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