Root Canals in Hermitage, PA
We don't know of anyone who looks forward to having a root canal. Our dental team is sympathetic to your concerns, but you should know that there's no reason a root canal in Hermitage, PA has to be stressful.
At Thomas Family Dentistry, we know that all it takes for you to enjoy a calm and stress-free experience is by taking all your needs into consideration. Our experienced team of friendly, skilled professionals who always put your needs first. Dr. Deanna Thomas, Dr. Noelle Peters, and our team have earned an excellent reputation for providing efficient, comfortable, stress-free root canals.
Why You Need a Root Canal in Hermitage, PA
Anyone who’s experienced an infected root canal knows just how painful the experience can be. That type of intense pain is a good indication that something serious is happening in your tooth that needs to be taken care of immediately.
Deep inside of your tooth is the root canal itself, which contains nerve and soft tissue. Injury or tooth decay can lead to damage and infection of the nerve. If the infection is not treated, you will experience continued pain, swelling, and even tooth loss.
When you have a root canal, we gently but thoroughly remove the damage and carefully clean and seal the tooth. In some cases, we may choose to use an antibiotic to make sure the infection is completely under control. In the majority of root canal cases, we will recommend a dental crown to strengthen and protect the tooth.
Comfortable, Stress-Free Dental Care
Our dentists in Hermitage are sensitive to the fact that dental visits for a treatment like root canal therapy can lead to anxiety for many people.
At Thomas Family Dentistry, your complete comfort is one of our top priorities, and we have solutions that will help make your treatment easy and stress-free. If at any time you are concerned or anxious, please don't hesitate to bring it to our attention. We will make sure to tailor your treatment to help make your experience as pleasant as possible. We work with one of the most innovative suppliers of root canal products - Dentsply - to ensure you always receive the most modern and comfortable care.
If you experience dental anxiety and would like a little help to relax, we can prescribe a calming medication to be taken when you first arrive at our office. This allows you to feel very calm when it’s time for your treatment.
Post Operative Instructions for Root Canal Treatment
- Though some of the root canal procedures we perform are completed in 1 appointment, root canal therapy may take more than 1 appointment to complete.
- Since anesthetic has been used, parts of your mouth may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has worn off.
- Between appointments, a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth. It is common (and not a problem) for a small portion of your temporary filling to wear away or break off. If the entire filling falls out, please call our office and set up a time to come in and have it replaced.
- It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal procedure. To control discomfort, take any pain medication prescribed by the dentist as recommended. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as directed, even if all signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Taking ibuprofen before the numbness wears off can greatly reduce post-operative pain.
- To protect the tooth and keep the temporary filling in place, avoid eating hard or sticky food (such as gum), and try to chew on the other side of your mouth. Continue to brush and floss normally. Usually, the last step in a root canal is the placement of a crown or permanent filling in the tooth. A crown will protect the tooth from breaking in the future.
- If you have signs of swelling or increasing pain, or if you have any further questions or concerns, please contact our office.
Call for More Information about Root Canals in Hermitage, PA
Our soft-touch dentistry and low-stress approach to our patients make each visit comfortable and easy. We are not only experienced professionals, but also positive people who are dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care you deserve.
Are you ready to take control of your own oral health care by finding a provider who truly has your best interest at heart? Please call our Hermitage, PA dental office, and we’ll be happy to arrange a convenient consultation so you can learn more about our unique approach to dental care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treat Tooth Pain
Root canals have a bad reputation but it is actually the symptoms of the infection that cause the pain and not from the actual root canal itself.
Endodontic treatment (root canals) are performed when you are experiencing intense pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, decay or fracture that goes into the nerve of the tooth.
Prevent Pain, Swelling and Tooth Loss
Deep inside of your tooth is the root canal itself, which contains nerves and soft tissue. Infection, deep decay or damage to the nerve all indicate that the tooth needs endodontic treatment. If the infection is not treated, you will have continued pain, swelling, and even tooth loss.
When a root canal is performed the nerve and damage to your tooth is gently cleaned and removed. All of the necrotic tissue is removed with a series of small files graduating to larger ones in order to get it all. The tooth is then rinsed with a disinfecting solution and dried thoroughly before placing a plastic point to fill in the canal and seal the tooth off.
Often times, we may want to use an antibiotic to make sure the infection is under complete control.
It is then recommended to have a core build-up and crown done on the tooth, as once the live nerve has been removed from the tooth, the tooth becomes quite brittle. A dental crown is placed in order to strengthen and protect the tooth.
Be sure to contact us today if you are experiencing any of the previously mentioned symptoms. It is always better to find the "root" of the issue sooner rather than later!
Pictured: Nerve of a tooth placed on a 2x2 guaze.
Most dental local anesthetics will wear off within a couple of hours. Generally, anesthesia will last one hour on the top and up to four hours on the bottom. If you must eat before your anesthesia wears off, choose something soft, avoid hot beverages and try to chew on the opposite side you had work done on!
If you're currently experiencing dental pain and have a waiting period until your next appointment, try this over the counter combination for relief- this cocktail has taken the place of opiods with great success and we're confident it will for you, too!
Alternate Every 3 Hours:
500-1,000mg Acetaminophen (extra strength Tylenol)
400mg Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
***Do not exceed limit of 6 Acetaminophen in 24 hours (3,000mg max)***
Researchers say this combination cocktail works better than prescribed opioids and are less likely to cause side effects. At Thomas Family Dentistry, we believe prescribed pain killers should be a last resort, and now with this OTC combination, we can reduce the frequency of opioid prescriptions without leaving our patients in pain!
Give this OTC cocktail combo a try, and we are confident that it will relieve your dental pain.
Daily Max limit for ibuprofen- 3,200 mg per day
Daily max limit for acetaminophen- 3,000 mg per day
For most people, dental terminology isn't that important until you actually need it! If you are wondering about some of the most common dental terms you hear, we can help!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic devices designed to replace a missing tooth. They are the most convenient and lifelike way to complete your smile after tooth loss or an extraction.
Dental implants consist of three parts:
- Dental implant post
- Abutment
- Crown
The post is the part of the dental implant that we surgically place in your bone. Your abutment will screw into the implant and provide a foundation for your dental crown. The crown is the part that looks like a tooth and the only part that others will see when you smile. We custom design these to match your natural teeth.
What Is a Root Canal?
A “root canal” actually refers to root canal therapy. It is the process of removing bacteria and infection from inside your tooth. A root canal can extend the life of your tooth by years – even decades.
Even though they sometimes get a bad reputation for hurting, it is actually the symptoms of the infection that cause pain, not the root canal therapy itself. We can relieve your pain with root canal therapy.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a restoration that protects your tooth from breaking. When a tooth is damaged, it is often at a greater risk for splitting or breaking off at the gumline. A dental crown looks like a tooth and covers your tooth structure to protect it.
We can create dental crowns out of a wide variety of materials to meet your needs. Most patients prefer a porcelain crown that looks just like a natural tooth!
Contact Us
Are you in need of a crown, root canal or crown? Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.
OUR TEAM
Deanna Thomas, DMD, FAGD
Dr. Deanna Thomas is the proud owner and dentist of our practice, which she founded in 2003. With a commitment to providing exceptional dental care, Dr. Thomas has built a reputation for both her expertise and compassionate approach to patient care.
Dr. Thomas earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University before pursuing her dental degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. After completing her education, she served with distinction in the U.S. Navy and Pennsylvania National Guard for 21 years, retiring in January 2016. Her ...