Root Canal Therapy in Southfield, MI

Save Your Tooth at Dixon Family Dental

The root canal is the inner chamber of your tooth that contains small nerves and blood vessels. This is also known as the pulp, and if bacteria spread into the root canal, it can get infected. Leaving it untreated can lead to severe pain, sensitivity, and eventual tooth loss.

Here at Dixon Family Dental, Dr. Darlene can alleviate your pain and save your tooth from extraction with root canal therapy. Using gentle techniques and natural-looking dental restorations, we’ll be able to safely restore your smile to health, while also enhancing its beauty.

Signs of an Infected Tooth Pulp

There are a variety of symptoms associated with root canal infection that can help you determine if you need treatment. We recommend calling our office right away if you’re experiencing any of the following issues:

Severe toothache
Pain while chewing
Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
Discolored tooth
Swollen or tender gums around the tooth

Our Gentle Root Canal Treatment Process

Before your root canal procedure starts, Dr. Darlene will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the infected tooth so you don’t feel any pain. Once ready, she’ll create a small opening in the tooth and remove the infected tissue. Then, she’ll fill the empty pulp with a special dental resin that protects it against future infections.

To finish, Dr. Darlene will cover the healthy tooth with a customized porcelain crown. Your crown will blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth while improving the strength of your tooth and preserving its health.

In some cases, if the root canal has been severely damaged by infection and can’t be saved, Dr. Darlene will recommend a tooth extraction. Removal of the tooth will result in a restorative treatment such as receiving a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to repair your smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many patients avoid root canal therapy under the impression that it’s painful. In reality, the procedure will only cause mild discomfort or none at all.

Rest assured, Dr. Darlene will use a local anesthetic to numb your tooth before the procedure so you don’t feel anything. Avoiding treatment for your infection will result in far more pain than getting the actual procedure.

It’s normal to feel mild discomfort after a root canal treatment, but this should fade within a few days at the most. In most cases, patients recover quickly and can manage any pain with over-the-counter medications.

If your tooth still hurts a week after the procedure, this may be a sign that the treatment wasn’t successful. Call us right away if you’re experiencing this or any other unusual symptoms.

When plaque is allowed to build up in your teeth, it can erode the enamel and expose your underlying nerve tissues. This can result in a heightened sensitivity to hot and cold when you’re eating or drinking, commonly known as a hot tooth.

Headaches are not an expected symptom of root canal therapy. If you’re suffering from recurring headaches, this likely means that your tooth has been re-infected or there was a mistake during your procedure. Call our Southfield practice right away if this happens to you.

In most cases, Dr. Darlene can complete your root canal treatment in a single appointment. These visits typically last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of your case. If you’re getting multiple teeth treated, you’ll likely need to schedule more than one appointment.

Root Canal Therapy in Southfield, MI

Save Your Tooth at Dixon Family Dental

Signs of an Infected Tooth Pulp

Our Gentle Root Canal Treatment Process

Frequently Asked Questions

Does root canal therapy hurt?

Should my tooth hurt a week after the procedure?

What is a hot tooth?

Can root canal therapy cause headaches?

How long does root canal therapy take?

Relieve Your Root Canal Pain in Southfield, MI

Dr. Darlene Daniels-Dixon

CONTACT US

OFFICE HOURS

Monday:	9am – 6pm
Tuesday:	9am – 6pm
Wednesday:	9am – 6pm
Thursday:	CLOSED
Friday:	9am – 6pm
Lunch	1pm – 2pm