Root Canal Treatment – Thorndale, PA

Relieve Your Toothache, Save Your Tooth!

Woman holding the side of her face in pain before root canal therapy

We know that root canals have a bad reputation for being painful and unpleasant. But the truth is that root canals get you out of pain when you have a toothache. Not only that, but they can repair the damage from severe cavities. Plus, with our team of compassionate, experienced dentists, we’re able to make the procedure stress-free from start to finish. So, if you have a toothache or think you may have a cavity, give our dental office a call. Root canal treatment in Thorndale may or may not be necessary – but if it is, you can have peace of mind knowing that it will be much easier than you think!

Why Choose Chester County Dental Arts for Root Canal Treatment?

Same-Day Emergency Appointments
Dental Insurance Welcome
Open Five Days a Week

Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

Man in pain holding cheek before root canal therapy

Everyone is different, but here are some of the most common signs that a root canal may be necessary:

Sensitivity that lingers in response to hot or cold temperatures
Facial swelling on one side
Severe pain or discomfort when chewing
Swollen gums or a pimple-like bump on the gums
Dark discoloration on the tooth in question

It’s also important to note that, in some cases, there are no symptoms because the nerve of a tooth has “quietly died” before causing pain. These cases still require a root canal to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading throughout your mouth and body.

The Root Canal Process

3D animation of a root canal procedure

Also called endodontic treatment, a root canal is designed to treat a severe cavity that has reached the nerve in the center of a tooth. Often done in just one appointment, it includes the following steps:

Your emergency dentist in Thorndale will begin by making sure you’re fully numb.
Then we’ll create a small opening in the tooth to access the inner layers and remove the infected nerve tissue.
Then we’ll thoroughly clean out the root canals and fill them with a rubbery material called gutta-percha.
Lastly, we’ll apply a tooth-colored filling material to cover and seal the opening in your tooth.

When the pulp of the tooth is removed, it loses its blood supply, causing it to become brittle and weak. This is why we usually recommend a dental crown in the following weeks to strengthen the tooth and allow it to function normally.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Let’s start with one of the most noteworthy benefits of root canal treatment: it can effectively eliminate the infection, saving your tooth from extraction in the process. This restorative dental service is also virtually painless thanks to powerful numbing agents. Plus, since metal-free restorations are available, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your treated tooth moving forward.

Root Canal FAQs

Why Are Root Canals Necessary?

A cavity is actually a type of infection. When it’s small, it only damages the outer layers of a tooth, leaving the nerve in the center unaffected. In these cases, a simple dental filling or crown is enough to repair it. But as the cavity grows larger, it eventually reaches the nerve and results in severe pain, swelling, and/or an abscess.

Without root canal therapy, the tooth needs to be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic tooth, like a dental bridge or a dental implant. By doing a root canal and removing the damaged and infected tissue, the rest of the tooth can be saved and continue functioning for many years.

How Do Cavities Start?

Cavities are caused by bacteria that feed on any remaining food particles in your mouth after meals. These bacteria thrive on carbohydrates and sugar, in particular, and produce acid that slowly begins destroying the tooth. At first, this process is slow because enamel (the outer layer of a tooth) is incredibly hard and tough. But once the damage gets through the enamel, it progresses more quickly. If the tooth remains untreated, it will eventually reach the nerve of the tooth and cause a severe infection.

I Am Scared of Getting a Root Canal. What Should I Do?

If you struggle with dental anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, or a fear of needles, we have good news: we offer nitrous oxide. This mild form of dental sedation is fast-acting, effective, and doesn’t require you to take the rest of the day off of work or school. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of it before, it’s likely because you’ve heard it referred to as its nickname: laughing gas!