Root Canal Therapy in Lehi, UT

If you’re in need of a root canal, you’re not alone.

More than 15 million people receive endodontic treatment each year – which means that root canal therapy is a regular part of most dentists’ day.

Although it isn’t a treatment that many people look forward to, it’s one of the best things you can do for your oral health – if you need it. Alongside saving your natural teeth, you could prevent the need to have other oral procedures in the future. If you suspect something is wrong with one of the teeth in your mouth, learning more about endodontic procedures could put you at ease. That’s why we want to teach you everything you need to know before you have the procedure.

Why Would You Need an Endodontic Procedure?

One of the main signs that you need root canal therapy is pain.

You might just be experiencing a classic toothache, but if you have the following symptoms it could be an indication that a root canal is in your future:

It hurts to press on or around a specific tooth.
Your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold sensations and the pain stays for a little while after you eat.
There’s a small bump that feels like a pimple inside your mouth near the tooth that’s painful.
When you brush your teeth, you see blood.
You’re experiencing bad breath that you can’t control.
Your tooth is getting a little darker than usual, but the rest aren’t.
The area surrounding the painful tooth is starting to swell.

So if you notice pain, swelling, and hot/cold sensitivity around one area, it’s important to give us a call quickly.

When you’re experiencing the signs above, it’s because the soft tissue surrounding your tooth and its nerve is infected. You might even notice the signs of a condition called gingivitis before the pain appears. This means you have infected gums.

And there’s plenty of reasons why this may happen. It could be poor oral health habits, or you may have cracked a tooth without realizing. You can also need root canal therapy if a filling doesn’t fit well, or if you’ve got a faulty crown.

No matter what the reasons for needing a root canal, the procedure comes with plenty of benefits. Ignoring a dying tooth means you’re likely to lose it, which then results in a more invasive procedure to remove it and insert a new one. Maintaining your natural teeth makes eating, speaking, and smiling much easier. So the sooner you tackle a suspected pulp infection, the better.

Is a Root Canal Painful?

When you look at the root canal procedure, it seems like it’s going to be incredibly painful.

The infected portion of the tooth must be removed, which requires some drilling down to the root (hence the name); this has led to the common perception that root canals are excruciating experiences.

Thankfully, that’s not the case.

This procedure is designed to help the pain brought on by infected gums and teeth. Any discomfort you feel while receiving root canal therapy is minimal compared to letting the infection get worse. During the procedure itself, we will ensure that your mouth, teeth, and gums are numbed correctly to ensure minimal discomfort. You won’t feel a thing!

How Can You Prepare for a Root Canal?

If you’re looking into root canal treatment near you and are ready to tackle the procedure, now is the best time to prepare.

Start by scheduling an appointment with us.

Tell us about your symptoms and let us explore your options. If you decide on a root canal, you’ll probably want to know the answers to these concerns:

What medications or antibiotics will the dentist use?
If pain is a concern, ask about painkillers like Ibuprofen
Will your dental insurance cover the procedure, or will it be out-of-pocket?
How long will the procedure take?
Will you need a ride home?
Are there any potential complications?

Discuss these – and any other concerns – with us until you’re satisfied that the procedure is right for you. From there, you can schedule the procedure with our team.

Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?

Although the thought of seeing a dentist isn’t fun, it’s a positive step toward eliminating pain and promoting better oral health.

So if you’re experiencing toothache and you believe there’s an infection present, you might need root canal therapy. Seeking help during the earlier stages of tooth pain can prevent the tooth from dying, so you can enjoy your natural smile.

If you believe endodontic treatment is right for you, get in touch.

Find an answer to tooth pain today!

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