Chandler Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment has a bad reputation as a painful dental procedure. The reality is it doesn’t have to be. In the hands of an experienced dentist, such as Drs. Walden and Beavers, you should be comfortable. If you still have anxiety about a root canal appointment, we also offer sedation. Visit our sedation page to read about your options.

Some people, out of fear of root canal treatment, elect to have a tooth extracted. However, tooth extraction is the most traumatic procedure in dentistry.

Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

You will need a root canal if you have an infection inside your tooth. When a tooth is infected, your body sends antibodies and white blood cells to attack the infection. In any other part of your body, this would cause swelling. However, there is nowhere for the swollen tissue to expand inside the tooth, leading to acute pain. Additionally, your body can’t remove dead tissue from inside the tooth. It will be a constant source of infection until excised during root canal treatment.

A tooth infection can spread to the bone surrounding the tooth. You may notice swelling and an abscess. Even though antibiotics and white blood cells can reach the abscess, the infection will persist. That’s because the dead pulp inside your tooth provides a never-ending source of bacteria and decay to feed the infection. Over time, that can cause the tooth’s root to break down.

Though tooth infection pain can be severe, sometimes there is little to no discomfort. However, it’s still dangerous to harbor a bacterial infection in your mouth because it can easily spread. In a worst-case scenario, a dental infection can spread to your blood and cause serious health complications or death.

Getting a Root Canal

Before your root canal, also called endodontic therapy, Dr. Walden or Dr. Beavers will thoroughly numb the area around the tooth. If you are anxious, you may need sedation during your appointment. We provide nitrous oxide, oral, and IV sedation, depending on your preference. When you are completely numb and comfortable, Dr. Walden or Dr. Beavers will drill into the tooth enamel to access the infected pulp.

Next, he will use fine dental tools to remove the infected pulp from the tooth. Then, he’ll fill this space with sealing material to prevent the infection from coming back. After your root canal treatment, Dr. Walden or Beavers will place a temporary filling in your tooth to protect it.

Root Canal Aftercare

Most patients do well after root canal treatment. However, you might feel mild discomfort from swelling at the site, which you can relieve with ibuprofen.

The overwhelming majority of root canal treatments are successful. However, in some cases the tooth root needs additional attention. Re-treatment could be required, or the tooth might need a minor surgical intervention at the root tip to fully seal it. For that kind of advanced endodontic treatment, we typically refer you to a specialist.

Once a tooth has a root canal treatment, it tends to be more brittle and more likely to fracture. So we generally recommend protecting it with a dental crown made of ceramic. The crown will have the beauty and strength of a natural tooth.

To schedule an appointment, please call us at 480-755-1661. You can also fill out this form, and we will call you. If you’re not ready to commit to a paid appointment, you can schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about root canal treatment.