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Exceptional Dental Care from Your Centerville Dentist

Root Canal Therapy – Centerville, OH

Eliminating the Infection for a Healthier Smile

A young woman in the dentist chair holding her cheekIf you’ve ever experienced a toothache, you know just how painful they can be. Fortunately, if your tooth hurts because of lodged food, a quick floss, and over-the-counter pain reliever can help diminish any discomfort. If it’s a sinus infection, there’s plenty of medicine that can treat that type of problem, too. But what about pain that affects the inside of your tooth? When damage or decay reaches the inner layer of your tooth, the pain can be debilitating. When this happens, your dentist has two options: extract the tooth or perform a root canal in Centerville. Since the goal is to help you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible, an extraction will be the last resort. Let Dr. Passidomo help restore your smile and provide relief from the pain today. Call our office to schedule an appointment.


What is a Root Canal?

Roots and canals of the inner toothA root canal is a procedure that removes the infection, which is causing the pain, and requires your dentist to seal the tooth to prevent future infection.

Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp that contains components commonly referred to as the "nerve" of the tooth. Each pulp chamber branches off, forming canals that lead toward the tooth root tip. These infamous root canals provide a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the blood and get rid of toxins or other unnecessary materials via the bloodstream.

A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth. This can cause a severe toothache and may initiate bone degeneration, tooth loss, and even more acute pain. If you see a dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth may be saved with a root canal. Otherwise, it should be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic.


Signs That You Need a Root Canal

A woman holding her cheek in pain with an ice cream cone in the other handFor most people, pain is the number one indicator that you might need a root canal. Now, before you start fretting over your toothache, not all tooth-related pain means you need a root canal. But, no matter the level of pain, it’s important that you see Dr. Passidomo to have him examine your tooth to determine the cause of pain.

If you are also experiencing any of the following, you’ll be more likely to hear that a root canal is in your future:

  • Fever
  • Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks
  • Difficulty chewing or biting down
  • Pimple-like sores appearing next to the problematic tooth
  • Facial swelling on the side with the affected tooth

How Root Canal Treatment Works

A barrier in use to perform a root canalOftentimes, when patients learn they need a root canal, the first question they ask is, “Will it hurt?” There is an unfortunate misconception that the root canal procedure is extremely painful. To be clear, the pain you are experiencing is not from the procedure, it’s from the infection in your tooth. A root canal is actually designed to relieve the pain, not create it.

Using modern and advanced technologies, here’s what you can expect during your root canal:

  1. Dr. Passidomo will administer local anesthesia or sedation to ensure you are comfortable before numbing the affected area.
  2. A barrier will be placed around the tooth, and he will begin by drilling a small hole into the surface of the tooth to access the affected tissue.
  3. Removing the infection, your dentist in Centerville will clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth before filling it with a biologically inert substance, sealing it from further infection.
  4. Finally, he’ll cover the tooth with a custom-made restoration to provide added protection from damage.

The entire procedure can be completed in just one appointment!


Post-Operative Root Canal Instructions

A man holding a cold towel up to his cheek Once the procedure is complete, there are some necessary instructions you’ll need to follow to ensure successful healing. These include:

  • Avoid chewing or eating anything hot or cold until the numbness wears off.
  • If you’re prescribed pain medication or you choose over-the-counter pain reliever, make sure to take it as instructed. The same goes for antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Passidomo. Even if all pain and symptoms are gone, continue to take your antibiotics until you run out.
  • Continue to brush and floss your teeth as normal but be extra gentle around the injured site.
  • Use a cold compress to reduce the amount of swelling.
  • If the swelling does not go down or gets worse, make sure to call our office immediately.

Accepted Insurances

Delta Dental Superior Dental Care The Dental Care Plus Group Cigna