Root Canals Specialist
A Woman's Touch Dentistry
Maritza O Jenkins, DMD
General Dentist located in Evansville, IN
Root canal therapy is an effective way to save a damaged or diseased tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. Martiza Jenkins, DMD, and the team at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry offer root canal procedures with a gentle touch at their location in Evansville, Indiana. If you have a severe toothache, don’t delay in getting treatment. Call or book an appointment online today.
Root Canals Q & A
What is a root canal?
The cavity within your tooth that contains a nerve and pulp is called the root canal, but this term commonly refers to root canal therapy or endodontic therapy. A root canal procedure removes infected or damaged tissue from the inside of this chamber and replaces it with special, medicated dental materials.
Root canal therapy aims to preserve your natural tooth and restore it to its full function in situations where the only other treatment is extraction or oral surgery. Removing a diseased tooth and replacing it with a dental implant is more costly and complicated than a simple root canal procedure.
There’s no reason to feel nervous about root canal therapy at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry. The skilled team of providers has extensive experience performing successful root canal treatments.
What are the signs that I may need root canal therapy?
Dr. Jenkins or a member of her team may recommend root canal therapy if the nerve or pulp inside your tooth becomes infected. Signs and symptoms that indicate you may need root canal therapy include:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swelling or tenderness
- An abscess (pimple) on the gums
Sometimes, you may have an infected or severely decayed tooth without experiencing any symptoms at all. That’s why it’s so important to schedule regular dental exams at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry.
What should I expect from a root canal procedure?
First, Dr. Jenkins or a member of her team perform a thorough dental exam and review your medical history. They may take digital X-rays to evaluate the condition of your tooth.
The team at A Woman’s Touch Dentistry offer sedation with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), but rarely need to use it because of their gentle touch. They numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic and make a small opening on the surface of your tooth.
Then, they remove the infected pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. They clean out the root canal chamber and seal it to prevent further infection.
Dr. Jenkins and her team recommend finishing each root canal treatment with a dental crown. This protects the tooth and prevents it from breaking.
If you suspect you may need a root canal treatment, call A Woman’s Touch Dentistry or book an appointment online today.