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Root Canal Therapy in Longview

Root canal photo

Three Rivers Dental provides root canal therapy in Longview, WA. Call 360-803-8003 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a procedure that is used to treat or prevent an infected tooth. At the center of each tooth is the root canal containing dental pulp, a soft tissue made up of blood vessels and nerves. When bacteria invade the root canal and infect the pulp, it results in an infected tooth that will need root canal therapy.

The procedure involves removing the dental pulp, cleaning the root canal, and filling it up with biocompatible restorative material. A crown is often placed over the tooth following a root canal to prevent reinfection and tooth fracture.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment provides many dental health benefits:

  • Saves the natural tooth. A root canal can restore the periodontal health surrounding your natural tooth so that it can remain in place without requiring extraction.
  • Relieves pain. An infected tooth can be painful, but a root canal relieves the pain by removing the infected tissue as well as the nerves from inside the tooth.
  • Prevents infection. A root canal that is done proactively can prevent a tooth from becoming infected due to a crack or a deep cavity. 
  • Restores chewing capabilities. When a tooth is restored with a root canal, it gives you the ability to chew effectively in that area of the mouth. 
  • Prevents the need for costly replacement teeth. Saving the natural tooth with a root canal costs less than replacing the tooth with a bridge or a dental implant. 

Why Choose Three Rivers Dental?

A dentist’s job is not just to fix problems with your teeth, but to help prevent dental problems before they occur. At Three Rivers Dental, we make it our mission to help you care for your teeth so that they remain in place for your lifetime. When you come in for routine dental cleanings and oral exams every 6 months, we monitor your dental health and detect any potential concerns that could become a problem. We provide proactive care that can save your teeth before it's too late.

Are You a Good Candidate for Root Canal Therapy?

If you have a tooth that is causing you throbbing pain or lingering sensitivity to heat and cold, or that has extensive decay, you may be a good candidate for root canal therapy. A deep cavity or a crack in a tooth can allow bacteria to enter the root canal and infect the pulp. The best case scenario is that your dentist performs root canal treatment before an infection sets in. But if the tooth is already infected, root canal therapy can still save the tooth in many cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals

Does a root canal hurt?
A typical root canal is done with local anesthesia to numb the area that is being treated. It is no more uncomfortable than a routine filling. If you are nervous or anxious, sedation is available to help you feel more relaxed during the procedure.
How long does a root canal take?
On average, a root canal will take between 30-60 minutes. Root canal treatment is often paired with a crown preparation during the same appointment, so this will add an additional 30 minutes or so to the overall appointment time.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
In most cases, a tooth will need a crown after a root canal. This is in part because a hole has to be made in the natural crown of the tooth to access the root canal space. Additionally, a root canal is often needed because there is already extensive decay or damage to the tooth. A crown helps protect against the weakened condition of the chewing surface of a tooth after treatment. In some cases (mostly when dealing with front teeth), the tooth can be filled with composite material after a root canal instead of receiving a crown.
Can a tooth survive without dental pulp?
The dental pulp is only necessary as the tooth is developing. Once the tooth is fully developed and in its permanent place in your mouth, the dental pulp is no longer necessary for the tooth to survive. The canal space is filled with material that seals it and prevents further infection. The support structures for the tooth will continue to hold it in place.
What if the root canal doesn’t work?
If a root canal fails to treat the infection, or if the infection comes back later, a repeat root canal may be required. Sometimes there is a complex root canal structure that makes it difficult to remove all of the pulp and infected tissue the first time. A second root canal is typically sufficient to save the tooth. Sometimes a treated tooth will not respond favorably and will require extraction and replacement by another method.

Contact Us

Call 360-803-8003 to schedule an appointment.

Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!

620 Triangle Shopping Center, Suite 660 Longview, WA 98632
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