Commonly called a root canal, root canal treatment is a type of endodontic therapy that is often recommended if the tooth pulp and nerves become infected or damaged. This may occur if injury or decay reaches deep into the tooth, past the outer enamel layer. When left untreated, this type of infection and disease may cause the tooth to die and necessitate tooth extraction. To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, our skilled dentist will remove the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, clean the tooth, and fill it with a medicated material. We will then cap the tooth with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in only one or two comfortable visits to our office.
Root canal treatment is a necessary but often considered a painful procedure. Thanks to advances in techniques, modern dentistry equipment and anesthesia, the pain can now be minimal and short-lived. Root canal treatment is typically performed under local anesthesia. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Our dentist and entire team work hard to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable experience each time you visit our office. To learn more about root canal treatment, we welcome you to contact us today. We are committed to restoring your smile’s health.
If you’re looking for a root canal procedure in Covington, WA, Dr. Kwok accommodates your needs through emergency root canal or regular appointments. If your pain becomes severe, Dr. Kwok also provides precise sedation dentistry to numb gums to undertake even the most delicate root canal procedures.
Your teeth have a protective layer on the outside, known as enamel. The layer under that is called dentin and inside of the tooth, you have a soft core that contains dental pulp made up of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. When decay gets into the pulp, it becomes inflamed, infected, or dies. A root canal is an endodontic treatment that cleans out decay in the pulp and root of your tooth.
More than 15 million root canals are performed every year in the United States, meaning an average of over 41,000 per day. According to a 2016 study, the indication that patients need a root canal can vary based on the type of bacteria involved.
The only way you can know for sure whether you need a root canal is to schedule a consultation with an experienced dentist. At Covington Complete Dentistry, Dr. Baptista Kwok helps you decide if a root canal is right for your needs.
However, there are several signs that you should be aware of. If you experience any of these, it’s important to schedule your appointment as soon as possible because the sooner you get treatment, the better outcome you will have.
At Covington Complete Dentistry, we utilize advanced dental technology for our root canals. For example, one of the primary reasons people avoid going to the dentist is a fear of needles. We have addressed this fear with the use of the Syrijet Mark 2 Needleless Injector. This device is easy to operate and reliable. It saves time and reduces patient apprehension and discomfort.
We also use CALAJECT, a computer-assisted local anesthesia delivery system that provides pain-free injections. Research shows that 95% of patients who have experienced this system for injections have changed their thoughts on dental visits.
If you believe you may need a root canal or have other dental issues that need to be addressed, contact our office today and schedule your appointment. We can help you with various dental issues, including root canals.
Covington Complete Dentistry is located approximately half a mile from Covington Walmart, and just five minutes from Lake Meridian Park and six minutes from Covington Community Park & Soccer Field.
