Root Canals

Gentle, Painless Root Canals

At 12 Oaks Dental, we understand that some dental procedures strike fear into the hearts of patients. Take root canals, for example. Just mention a root canal and everyone in the room flinches. The doctors and team here at our Austin, TX, office are working hard to completely change patient perceptions of root canals. Far from the painful and anxiety-inducing root canals of the past, our gentle and effective endodontic treatments can save your tooth and relieve your toothache.

Who Needs a Root Canal?

Most dentists and dental patients would agree that it’s always preferable to save a tooth if at all possible, but that can be a challenge if infection is present. If your tooth becomes infected, our first attempt to save this tooth might be a root canal. Although there are sometimes no symptoms to indicate that you need this procedure, the following symptoms could indicate an infection that might require a root canal:

• Sharp or severe toothache when chewing, biting or applying pressure to the tooth
• Sensitivity to heat or cold that continues for a prolonged period of time
• Swelling, redness or tenderness in the gums surrounding the tooth
• A sore or pimple on the gum near the painful tooth
• Darkening or discoloration of the tooth

How Are Our Root Canals Different?

Both Dr. Worob and Dr. Barron are highly trained and experienced in performing root canal procedures. We use the most up-to-date techniques and technology to ensure that your endodontic root canal will be as effective and comfortable as possible, relieving your toothache and saving your tooth.

The root canal procedure begins with your dentist numbing the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, then removing the pulp and nerve from the tooth. After that, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and a special dental material is placed over the tooth to seal it off. In some cases, your dentist may decide to affix a crown over the top of the tooth to further protect it. Since a tooth doesn’t need pulp or nerve tissue to perform normally, your tooth will be fully functional after the procedure.