Root Canal Treatment
While root canal treatment often has a negative reputation because people usually associate it with pain, root canal therapy provides an alternative to removing an infected tooth and can actually relieve the painful symptoms associated with infection. Our dental practice provides root canal procedures by our specialist endodontist, Dr. Robert Ng.
Symptoms That May Indicate the Need for Root Canal Therapy
While some cases may not become symptomatic at all and are first recognized through digital imaging, oftentimes, root canal infection has some or all of the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the jaw, face, or gums
- Pain, especially when chewing
- Heat sensitivity
- A small lesion on the gums
- Foul taste in the mouth
- Pain that worsens when lying down
- Discoloration of a tooth
Root canals develop due to a deep cavity, periodontal (gum) infections, or because of trauma. Trauma may mean an accident that causes a forceful impact on the tooth, such as a sports injury, or it could come from chronic teeth grinding.
Diagnosing the Problem
In many cases, digital imaging will reveal the presence of an infection. In other cases, additional testing will determine the presence of infection and narrow down the source of the pain. Our dentists will discuss their findings with each patient, along with any recommendations for treatment, so that our patients can make an informed choice for their oral health and smiles.
What to Expect with Root Canal Treatment
Comfort is a priority at our dental practice, and our dentists strive to provide gentle treatment. We will anesthetize the tooth before beginning treatment. We use microscopes during our root canal procedures for optimal outcomes.
Your dentist will clean out the canal, removing bacteria and damaged tissue, and will place medication inside the canal to prevent reinfection. Then your dentist will fill the canal and place a temporary restoration on the tooth during the healing process.
Most patients feel immediate relief following the removal of the infection. The body’s natural healing processes will take over. It is normal to feel some sensitivity for a few days to a week following treatment, though it should gradually improve as the days pass. If pain lingers, please contact our clinic, and we will be happy to help.
Post-Treatment for Root Canal Therapy
Removing the tissue from inside the canal of the tooth often makes it more brittle, which is why a dental crown is often recommended to stabilize and protect the tooth. A dental crown will completely cover the tooth and protect it from the forces of chewing.
At Dr. William Cheung & Associates, we strive to provide total care and offer both dental crowns and root canal therapy in our Central Hong Kong dental office. We treat dental emergencies as well.
