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Root Out Pain with a Root Canal from Long Family Dental

January 15, 2015

167121308Root canal. For some people, just the words conjure up thoughts of pain and discomfort. Actually though, a root canal should initiate thoughts of eliminating pain and restoring comfort. That’s what a root canal is designed to do when you have an infected tooth that is causing a toothache. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long at Long Family Dental, with offices in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, are experienced in root canal therapy that will relieve your pain and preserve your tooth.

Each one of your teeth is actually made up of three layers. The strong outer layer that people see when you smile is the enamel. Next is the dentin, the sensitive middle layer. And the deepest layer is called the pulp, which is comprised of nerve and lymph tissue as well as blood vessels. If this layer is exposed to infection causing bacteria, then a root canal becomes necessary in order to preserve the life of the tooth. Bacteria can spread to the pulp by way of excessive tooth decay, a deep fracture or serious blow to the face.

Symptoms you may notice that would indicate the need for a root canal include:

  • Moderate to severe tooth pain
  • Swelling around the tooth
  • A tooth that is newly discolored
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold
  • A foul taste in your mouth

The Root Canal Procedure

The first step is making sure you are comfortable and the site is adequately anesthetized. Then, one of our dentists will access the pulp in order to clean and disinfect this chamber and its associated canals. Once the infection and any associated debris are removed, the root canals are filled with a biocompatible, anti-bacterial material. The tooth is then sealed and usually topped with a crown for added protection and strength.

Call Our Office Today

If you have a toothache or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please call Long Family Dental today. We proudly serve patients in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, as well as the surrounding communities of Waxahachie, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.

Save Your Smile with Root Canal Therapy

March 18, 2014

Living in pain is never an easy thing, especially when it comes to your teeth. Tooth pain can be excruciating, and doing nothing about the pain will only make it worse. If you are suffering from an ongoing tooth ache, it is most likely because your tooth is infected. Left untreated, an infected tooth can wreak havoc on the rest of your smile, leaving you with a much more expensive and painful result down the road. Long Family Dental understands the importance of making sure your smile is as health as it can be, which is why we offer root canal therapy to our patients!

A root canal needs to be performed when the tooth’s structure has been compromised. Perhaps due to a crack or a large cavity, the tooth’s inner structure has become infected with bacteria, causing you much pain and discomfort. Other things that can cause the need for root canal therapy are deep restorations and dental trauma.

We begin your root canal by focusing on the infected tooth and removing the harmful bacteria. The tooth’s pulp is removed, and then the tooth is filled. After that, a crown is usually placed at the top, protecting the tooth from further harm. At the end, you feel relieved and alleviated of pain!

If you are experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, pain, swelling, throbbing, and a bad taste in your mouth, you may need a root canal. Make an appointment at our office, and we’ll be glad to help!

At Long Family Dental, we provide quality general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services in Cleburne and Midlothian. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment. Dr. Bob Long and Dr. Chris Long are here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

 

Treating Infected Teeth with Root Canal Therapy

June 6, 2013

If you’re suffering from a toothache, it’s important to give your dentist a call right away. If the pain is persistent, you might need root canal therapy to treat the infection inside of your tooth. An infected tooth is a serious threat to your dental health and should be addressed as soon as possible.

The hard enamel on the outside of your tooth serves to protect the soft inner canal where the pulp is found. Whether it’s through damage or extensive decay, when the enamel is breached it allows bacteria to enter the pulp. This causes a root canal infection.

Some signs that you might have a root canal infection include the following:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or sweet things
  • Bad taste in your mouth
  • Pain while biting or applying pressure to the tooth

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you should give your dentist a call. Delaying the treatment will only make things worse.  If you end up needing root canal therapy, your dentist will carefully remove the infected pulp inside your tooth. Usually the canal will be filled and covered with a crown to prevent further infection. Your tooth will be restored and your smile will be healthy once again.

Root canal therapy is a good way to treat an infected tooth and restore it to health. If you’re suffering from tooth pain, give your dentist a call today to see if this could be the right solution for your smile. The sooner you call the better before the decay has a chance to spread any further.