When a root canal is needed
When the inner pulp of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause significant pain and threaten the tooth. A root canal removes the infected tissue, relieves the pain, and preserves your natural tooth.
Several things can lead to this, including deep decay, a crack, repeated dental work on the same tooth, or an injury. Common warning signs are a lingering toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold that does not go away, pain when biting, swelling near the gum, or a darkening tooth. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and we spot the problem on an X-ray, which is one more reason regular exams matter.
Saving your natural tooth is almost always better than losing it, and a root canal makes that possible. Keeping your own tooth maintains your natural bite and spacing and is typically more straightforward than removing the tooth and replacing it later.
A comfortable procedure
Thanks to modern techniques and anesthesia, a root canal today feels much like getting a filling. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the visit is.
After thoroughly numbing the area, Dr. B gently removes the infected tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and shapes the inner canals, and seals them to keep bacteria out. In many cases the whole thing is finished in a single appointment, and the relief from the pain you came in with often starts right away.
If you feel anxious, our sedation options can help you relax completely during treatment. Many people who once dreaded the idea of a root canal tell us afterward that it was far easier than they expected.
After your root canal
Once the infection is removed, we usually protect the tooth with a crown so it stays strong for years to come. Any mild tenderness afterward typically fades within a few days.
A treated tooth can become more brittle over time, so a crown that caps and reinforces it is the best way to help it last. In the meantime, it helps to chew on the other side and stick to softer foods until any tenderness settles, and over-the-counter pain relief is usually all that is needed.
We will give you simple aftercare instructions and check the tooth at your follow-up. With a good restoration and normal home care, a tooth that has had a root canal can last for many years, often a lifetime.
Comfortable relief, conveniently nearby
When a tooth is throbbing, the last thing you want is a long drive or a referral to a specialist across the city. Many patients are relieved to learn they can have root canals in Albuquerque handled right here at our northwest office, an easy trip for those in Corrales and Rio Rancho, often without being sent elsewhere.
Dr. B (Boyd Newsome, DMD) has advanced training that lets him perform many root canals gently and efficiently, with sedation available for anyone feeling anxious. His goal is straightforward, to get you out of pain quickly while saving your natural tooth, all with the unhurried, reassuring care our patients have come to expect.