Root Canal Therapy In Attleboro, MA

Gentle, expert endodontic care to relieve pain and save your smile.

WHAT IS ROOT CANAL THERAPY?

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure designed to remove infected or inflamed tissue from within a tooth. By carefully cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing the canals, our team can eliminate pain, stop the spread of infection, and save your natural tooth. This treatment helps patients avoid extraction and keeps their smile healthy and strong.

ROOT CANAL THERAPY VS. EXTRACTION

When a tooth becomes badly infected or damaged, patients often wonder whether it can be saved or if it needs to be removed. These two treatments serve very different purposes.

Root canal therapy is designed to save your natural tooth. The infected pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and sealed, and the tooth is then restored with a crown or filling. This option relieves pain, stops infection, and preserves your natural smile.

Extraction, on the other hand, means removing the tooth entirely. While this eliminates the infection, it also leaves a gap that may require further treatment, such as a dental implant, bridge, or denture, to restore proper function and appearance.

In Short:

• Root Canal Therapy = Removes infection and saves your natural tooth.
• Extraction = Removes the entire tooth and often requires replacement.

For most patients, root canal therapy is the preferred choice whenever the tooth can be restored, since nothing looks, feels, or functions quite like your own natural teeth.

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

Here's what typically happens during root canal therapy at Orchid Dental:

1. Diagnosis & Preparation
   We take digital X-rays and perform tests to confirm whether root canal therapy is the right treatment.
   
   
2. Anesthesia & Isolation
   Local anesthesia ensures a comfortable experience. A small barrier, called a rubber dam, keeps the tooth clean and dry.
   
   
3. Cleaning & Shaping
   The infected pulp is removed, and the canals are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and shaped.
   
   
4. Filling & Sealing
   The canals are filled with a safe material and sealed to prevent reinfection.
   
   
5. Final Restoration
   In most cases, the treated tooth will be restored with a crown for protection, especially for back teeth that handle heavy chewing.
   



HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A ROOT CANAL?

You may need root canal therapy if you are experiencing:

• Constant or throbbing tooth pain
• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
• Swelling, tenderness, or a small bump on the gums near the tooth
• Tooth discoloration or darkening
• Severe decay or repeated dental work on the same tooth

These symptoms may signal that the inside of the tooth is damaged or infected. Root canal therapy can relieve discomfort and prevent the need for extraction.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TREATMENT

Step 1: Consultation and Diagnosis

Your dentist will begin with an exam and digital X-rays to confirm whether root canal therapy is needed. This step helps identify the extent of infection or damage inside the tooth.

Step 2: Numbing the Tooth

A local anesthetic is applied to ensure you are completely comfortable. Most patients report that root canal therapy feels similar to having a standard filling placed.

Step 3: Cleaning Out the Infection

A small opening is made in the tooth so the infected pulp tissue can be removed. The inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned, shaped, and disinfected to eliminate bacteria.

Step 4: Filling and Sealing the Canals

The cleaned root canals are filled with a special material to prevent future infection. The opening is sealed with a temporary or permanent filling.

Step 5: Restoring the Tooth

In most cases, a dental crown will be placed to protect the tooth after the root canal therapy. This final restoration restores strength, function, and appearance.

Aftercare

Some mild tenderness may occur for a few days, but over-the-counter pain relief usually manages it well. Once the crown is placed, the tooth can function like any other natural tooth.