SERVICES > ROOT CANALS

Dental Root Canal Therapy in Hood River, OR

When the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay, root canal therapy is usually the preferred treatment. While some patients opt to extract a tooth, it can often be saved by removing the bacteria and decay within the pulp and nerves of the tooth. The space is then filled with special, medicated materials which restore the tooth to its full function.

Typical Signs and Symptoms That Indicate a Root Canal is Indicated

• Inflamed/infected tooth pulp

• Severe sensitivity to hot and cold elements

• Extensive decay or cracks

• A blow to the tooth

• Swelling or tenderness near the infected tooth

• Repeated dental procedures on a tooth

Is a Root Canal Procedure Painful?

One of the most common misconceptions in dentistry is that root canals are a painful procedure. This idea is incredibly, and thankfully, outdated. Advances in technology, new anesthetics and high-tech dental tools now crafted from nickel-titanium rather than steel means we are no longer performing “your grandma’s root canal”. We now have tools and materials that offer efficiency, more flexibility and less discomfort for the patient. Most patients now liken the experience to the ease of having a filling done.

How Long Does a Root Canal Take?

On average, a root canal procedure typically takes about 60-90 minutes to complete. Our goal is to complete the procedure in one appointment, but occasionally they require a second visit

What Causes a Root Canal Infection?

Root canals happen when a tooth is badly decayed or seriously infected. This damage allows bacteria in the mouth to spread into the roots of your tooth and eventually the soft inside of the tooth called pulp. The pulp contains sensitive tissues and nerves. After infecting the pulp, the bacteria may spread to other areas and can lead to abscesses, gum infections, and discomfort throughout the jaw. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best solution so one of our dentists can assess if a root canal treatment can be used to save your tooth from extraction.

What is Recovery Like for a Root Canal?

Most patients are surprised and relieved to find that even the most painful infections feel 100% immediately after root canal treatment. After a root canal, your mouth will be numb for a couple of hours due to the anesthetic wearing off. Most patients can go right back to work, school, or other activities. We suggest waiting until numbness is gone before eating.

I’ve Heard That Root Canals can be Detrimental to Health. Is That True?

Since the premier of a documentary, called The Root Cause, we in the dental industry have heard a lot of rumors about root canals. The film falsely links the root canals to breast cancer, heart disease and other ailments, employing baseless claims gleaned from discredited 1920s research. The film was denounced by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), and the American Association of Dental Research (AADR). The backlash over decredited “facts” caused Netflix to pull the documentary from its offerings. We encourage our patients to do their own research and consult more reliable sources of medical information, like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and respected consumer sites, like Web MD.