Root Canal Specialist

General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in San Antonio, TX

Root Canal services offered in San Antonio, TX

A root canal procedure is often the only way of saving an infected tooth. Experienced dentist Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS, and her team at Preva Dental in San Antonio, Texas, are experts in performing root canals with minimal discomfort. They can relieve the intense pain of an infection and prevent the loss of your tooth. To benefit from their expertise in performing root canals, call Preva Dental today or book an appointment online.

Root Canal Q & A

What is a root canal?

A root canal dental procedure reduces pain and saves an infected tooth. The tooth roots and tissues inside your teeth, known as the pulp, can become infected if bacteria get into a damaged or diseased tooth.

The infected pulp is often extremely painful because it contains nerves. Root canal treatment stops the infection from spreading and preserves the outer part of your tooth, so you don’t need to have it replaced.

Root canals have a reputation for being painful. But with modern anesthetics and treatment techniques, you shouldn’t experience any significant discomfort.

What symptoms might indicate I need a root canal?

Common symptoms of an infected tooth that might require a root canal include:

Throbbing pain in the mouth or jaw
Dark discoloration of the tooth
Gum inflammation
Pain when chewing
Extreme sensitivity
Bad breath
Pus leaking from around the tooth

You might also develop a small bump that resembles a pimple on your gum.

Pain from an infected tooth can come on rapidly and may be severe. If you develop a severe toothache, call the emergency dentistry number at Preva Dental. You might need an X-ray to determine the extent of the infection and antibiotics to destroy the bacteria.

What does a root canal procedure involve?

Before beginning your root canal, your provider at Preva Dental applies a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. They also put a small film of rubber or a dental dam over the tooth to protect it and keep it clean during your root canal procedure.

When the anesthetic has taken effect, your provider makes a tiny incision in the tooth to access the diseased pulp. They use delicate instruments to extract the dead and diseased pulp, frequently washing the tooth to clear any debris. It’s vital to remove every trace of infection to ensure the bacteria can’t multiply again.

When the tooth is clean, your provider packs the hollow area. Any discomfort is usually easily manageable with over-the-counter pain medicines. After your root canal, you might have a filling or crown on the tooth.

If you suspect you have an infection in your tooth, let Preva Dental take care of it with their expertise in root canals. Call the office today or book an appointment online.