Root Canal Therapy in Arlington, WA
When told they need endodontic treatment such as a root canal, many people feel dread because they think the procedure will hurt. The truth is that root canal therapy isn't painful, and using soothing sedation and leading-edge technology at our Arlington dental office ensures a comfortable procedure.
Dr. Andrew Kim, DDS and our team at Sound Dental Solutions are very sensitive to our patients’ feelings and understand the part anxiety plays in seeking dental care. Our solution is to be kind, caring, and supportive and do everything to put you at ease. Your oral health is important to us, but so are your comfort and feelings of well-being when you’re in our care.
Don’t Postpone Root Canal Treatment.
If your dentist has told you that you need a root canal, it's crucial for your oral health and general well-being to follow through with treatment as soon as possible. An infected root canal often causes an excruciating toothache, and a root canal is the only treatment to relieve it. What’s worse, if the tooth isn’t treated promptly, the infection will spread, and our dentist would need to extract the tooth.
How a Tooth Becomes Infected
Your dentist recommends a root canal to remove infected pulp tissue from deep inside your tooth. This area—called the pulp chamber—houses the blood vessels, tissue, and nerves that keep the tooth alive and healthy.
The pulp chamber is very well-protected until a deep cavity penetrates the area, you suffer trauma or a hard knock to the tooth, or the tooth becomes cracked. Bacteria find their way into the pulp, causing an infection and leaving a root canal as the only treatment option to save the tooth.
Signs That You Might Need a Root Canal
Aside from intense tooth pain, some symptoms of an infected tooth are:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- A raised white “pimple” on your gums
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- A bad odor or taste in your mouth
If you are in pain or notice any of these symptoms, call our Arlington dental office to let us know what’s going on.
The Root Canal Procedure
First, Dr. Kim uses a strong local anesthetic to numb the tooth he’s treating. Next, he opens a tiny hole in the tooth to access the pulp area and uses rotary endodontic technology to remove the infected tissue.
Rotary endodontics used in place of manual instruments make the process more comfortable and efficient, which means less time in the dental chair. And because the technology helps Dr. Kim reach deep inside the canals, he can ensure that every trace of infection is removed.
The final steps involve filling the hollowed-out part of the tooth, sealing it, and placing a temporary filling to protect the tooth while it heals.
What Happens after Your Root Canal
You won’t feel pain during your procedure, but some soreness or tenderness in the area is common the day or two following treatment. Most patients find relief by taking ibuprofen or Advil but call us right away if you still feel pain.
We'll have you return to our Arlington dental office in about two weeks to place a dental crown or a tooth-colored filling for protection, and so you can comfortably chew on the tooth again.
Call Our Arlington, WA Dental Office So We Can Help
If you have a toothache or any other need for a dental procedure, call Sound Dental Solutions as soon as possible so we can relieve your tooth pain and save the tooth from extraction. In addition to patients in Arlington, we are pleased to serve the surrounding communities of Arlington, Smokey Point, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Mount Vernon, and beyond.
