Root Canals

Saving Your Smile With Expert Care

AroAA root canal is a long withstood treatment to save a tooth from being pulled due to infection or severe decay. Root canals are extremely common dental procedures, with about 15 million performed in the U.S. annually, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rahee Shah is highly trained and experienced in root canals and utilizes the latest technology in dentistry to ensure each patient’s experience is a positive and pleasant one.

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Why You May Need A Root Canal

Root canals, unfortunately, have a bad reputation as being a painful procedure. While this may have been true in the past, nowadays, innovative advances in dentistry combined with sedation allow for a much more enjoyable experience resulting in most patients feeling zero pain at all. In reality, it’s more likely that you would be in more pain continuing to live with your decayed tooth than having a root canal.

There are two main reasons Dr. Shah may recommend root canals:

A cracked or chipped tooth that opens up a gateway for infection in the tooth pulp
A cavity that has reached the tooth pulp and cannot be repaired with a filling

Signs You May Need A Root Canal

Our main goal when performing root canals is to save your tooth by removing infected or damaged pulp. Every person is different, and some patients may experience symptoms of an infected tooth, while others may not. Patients who need root canals may experience the following signs:

Toothache
Jaw pain
Redness or swelling around the tooth
You can see a hole in your tooth
Extreme sensitivity

Your Root Canal In Cary, NC

At Cary Smiles, your health, safety and overall well-being are our top priority, as well as educating our patients on their dental health. We take extra steps to ensure the comfort and safety of all our patients, and we want you to feel confident in your dental procedure with us. If you have any concerns or questions at all ahead of a root canal, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at (919) 233-3545. You can expect the following from root canals:

Dental X-rays

First, Dr. Shah will perform an exam to determine if a root canal is the best treatment method for you. Our team will take X-rays to capture a full picture of your tooth’s condition and health.

Tooth Is Numbed

We use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area to create a pain-free experience.

Dental Dam

Dr. Shah places a “dental dam”, which is a rubber-like sheet, over the tooth to keep it clean and dry during the process.

Removal of Infected Pulp

Using small, specialized instruments, a tiny hole is made in your tooth’s crown in order to remove the decayed or infected pulp. Dr. Shah will then delicately clean out and disinfect the affected tooth’s pulp chamber and root canals. If needed, he may also shape that space to accommodate the filling.

Root Canal Is Filled

Once the area is completely dried, Dr. Shah will fill it with a medicinal-grade substance called gutta-percha before sealing your tooth with a temporary filling to keep bacteria away. This will later be removed at a second appointment.

Dental Crown Placement

You will come back to our Cary office at a later date for the final step of receiving a crown. This dental restoration is placed over your tooth and is made of porcelain materials to match the color of your natural tooth. Crowns are custom made to fit the precise contours of your unique tooth and take about 2-3 weeks to complete.

Root Canal Recovery

It typically takes about a week or less to recover for your procedure. During that time, stick to a soft diet, avoid touching the general area, but be sure to brush and floss your teeth diligently. If you experience any pain, call our office.

The beauty of root canals is that after your initial recovery, your newly restored tooth will function and look just like your natural teeth. If you maintain healthy oral habits, it will even last you for years to come!

Our Patients Are At The Root Of Everything We Do

We are committed to delivering a positive dental experience for every patient, every time. Our warm and welcoming team fosters a relaxing, comfortable environment that feels like home. We use cutting-edge technology, such as digital X-rays, scans, and 3D-printed appliances, to ensure your comfort and provide exceptional care. Request an appointment today!