What is the Purpose of Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal is a dental procedure used to treat severely decayed or damaged teeth to save them from extraction. Once decay has infiltrated the inner chamber or pulp of your tooth and damaged the blood vessels and nerves, root canal therapy is the only way to save your tooth. Dr. Adam Shroyer uses root canal treatment to cleanse your tooth from infection, strengthen its structure and restore its usefulness. A visit to the Shroyer Family Dental dentist in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, can determine if your condition warrants root canal treatment.  

Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy

Pain is one of the greatest indicators of a tooth infection. If you’re experiencing a severe toothache, it could be due to an inflamed pulp or oral infection. Additional signs of an infected tooth are:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
• Pimple-like bumps on your gums
• Swollen gums that are painful to the touch
• Gums turning dark
• An abscessed tooth
• Painful chewing

When in doubt, it’s always best to see your dentist for tooth or gum abnormalities. The sooner you diagnose your condition, the sooner you can get pain relief. 

Root Canal Dental Procedure

Root canal therapy is a process that may take several dental visits to complete. Before starting your treatment, Dr. Shroyer will numb the area with a local anesthetic, so you feel no discomfort or pain during the procedure. We’ll then drill a hole in your tooth to gain access to and remove the infected pulp, along with damaged blood vessels and nerves. 

Once the pulp is removed, we’ll cleanse and disinfect your tooth’s inner chamber and canals to keep the infection from spreading. Next, we’ll fill your tooth chamber with gutta-percha material to seal it from future infection. Finally, Dr. Shroyer will place a crown over your weakened tooth to reinforce its structure so it can continue to be used.

Removing the infected pulp of your tooth preserves its structure by protecting it from further damage. The infection, however, can leave your tooth frail and weak. By covering your tooth with a dental crown, we help fortify its structure to keep it from crumbling. The strength and durability of porcelain crowns make them an excellent choice for restoring your tooth’s function. 

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

The pain and discomfort of an infected tooth may prompt you to have it pulled and be done with it. Most dentists, however, prefer saving natural teeth, if possible, over having them extracted. Through root canal therapy, Dr. Shroyer can relieve your pain by treating the infection rather than having your tooth extracted. Once your tooth has been cleansed, filled, and covered with a crown, it will be good as new. Preserving your teeth helps maintain the natural beauty of your smile, as there will be no unsightly gaps to contend with. 

Root Canal Dentist Near Me in Mount Pleasant, Iowa

To schedule a consultation for root canal therapy in Mount Pleasant, IA, contact Dr. Adam Shroyer from Shroyer Family Dental at (319) 385-4680.

Share this Article