Root Canal Therapy – Leawood, KS
We Can Help Your Hurting Teeth Stay Strong
Tooth decay and injury can happen to anyone. When something goes wrong with one of your teeth, Dr. Ayer’s restorative dentistry comes to the rescue. For severe dental damage that requires more help than a simple filling can provide, root canal therapy is the answer. It’s a method that completely cleans out the inside of the tooth and restores its strength with a sturdy crown -- and root canal therapy is often the only thing that can save your tooth from extraction. Dr. Ayer provides therapy for root canal in Leawood, KS.
Why Choose Dr. Dennis Ayer for Root Canal Therapy?
- 30+ Years Of Proven Clinical Expertise
- Modern Digital Technology For Confident Treatment Planning
- Sedation Dentistry Available
What Happens During a Root Canal?
While root canal therapy has the reputation of being particularly painful, it is actually the toothache leading up to the procedure that causes the most discomfort. Root canals are performed under local anesthesia and nitrous oxide as necessary for soothing jittery nerves. With modern dentistry and Dr. Ayer’s skilled hand, you won’t feel a thing.
The root canal procedure is usually carried out over two to three visits to our office. Root canal therapy looks a little something like this:
- First visit: The inside of the tooth is accessed through a small access hole, and all infected tissue is carefully removed. Dr. Ayer disinfects, reshapes and measures the interior of the tooth. It is then filled with a biocompatible material known as gutta percha, and a temporary filling is placed on top. Sometimes, one visit is all that is needed for the root canal, and a permanent filling is placed in the same appointment.
- Second visit: The temporary filling is replaced with a permanent one. Sometimes the permanent crown is also placed in the second visit.
- Third visit (as necessary): The permanent crown is placed and the root canal treatment is complete.
The number of appointments needed for your root canal procedure depends on the severity of the infection. Sometimes, antibiotic therapy is necessary between appointments for full healing.
Root Canal After-Care Instructions
You will experience the symptoms associated with any oral surgery following each step of your root canal therapy. Treatments completed over two or three appointments require the use of temporary crowns and fillings. Care should be taken with to ensure the success of these temporary restorations. Try to limit chewing to the other side of the mouth, and avoid hard, sticky, and crunchy foods altogether. Eat a soft foods diet for the first few days to be completely safe. Scrambled eggs, bananas, fruit smoothies, and vegetable purees are all good items to eat following oral surgery.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine to ease discomfort following your root canal procedure. Take medicine as directed and avoid strenuous activity during the first few days following your root canal. Rest and relaxation are key to a fast, successful recovery.
Learn More About Root Canal Therapy Today
When you need help for a decayed or damaged tooth, do not put it off. Root canal therapy saves teeth from extraction! Contact Dr. Ayer’s office to learn more about our services in restorative dentistry or to schedule.