Root canal therapy saves Fort Worth teeth

In Dr. Vidya Suri’s gentle hands, root canal therapy alleviates the pain of infection and inflammation and saves the natural tooth. Most patients in the Fort Worth area get relief right away, and the success rate is quite high.

When root canal treatment is needed

Decay or trauma (fracture or breakage) may allow harmful bacteria to reach the center of a tooth, a chamber that houses the blood supply and the nerve. The pulp becomes inflamed, building pressure inside the tooth. Without prompt treatment, the infection can spread quickly.

Signs that you might need root canal therapy:

• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Recurring pain when you bite down or push on a tooth.
• Sudden acute pain.
• Swelling on the face or inside the mouth.
• An abscess (pus) in the gum tissue.
• A tooth that looks discolored.

The procedure

The root canal therapy procedure is about like getting a filling – it just takes a little longer. Dr. Suri also offers the option of nitrous oxide sedation, to calm patients who are nervous about treatment.

Getting you out of discomfort quickly is top priority. Dr. Suri may prescribe pain management medication or antibiotics prior to your appointment. Then, diagnostic x-rays are taken, and your mouth is thoroughly numbed. The tooth is opened, which relieves pressure immediately. Dr. Suri uses special instruments to remove pulp and sanitize nerve canals that extend into the root. The treated tooth does not need a nerve, since it has up to 31 neighbors to sense hot, cold, and bite pressure. The pulp chamber is sealed, and the tooth is protected with a beautiful porcelain crown.

In most cases, the only alternative to root canal therapy is extraction. Dr. Suri and her team at Sycamore Dental in Fort Worth want to help you keep your natural teeth. Call (817) 438-1828 to schedule an appointment.