Root Canal Therapy

Chicago, Illinois

Our Treatments

If you have tooth pain or damage, your trusted team at Bristle Dental Studio is here to help. We always recommend the most conservative treatment options to alleviate your discomfort and restore your smile’s health and function. If you require root canal therapy, you can count on our team for compassionate, stress-free care that exceeds your expectations!

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

The term “root canal” refers to the natural cavity within a tooth that contains the soft pulp with its nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure required to treat tooth pulp infection or inflammation resulting from deep decay, a cracked tooth, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. It helps relieve your pain, remove the infection, and preserve the affected tooth.

Left untreated, tooth pulp infection can spread to the surrounding teeth and jawbone, causing severe pain, an abscess, facial swelling, and bone loss around the tooth’s root. The infection can even enter the bloodstream, causing serious health complications. The only alternative to root canal therapy is having the damaged tooth extracted, which should always be considered a last resort. At Bristle Dental Studio, maintaining healthy, pain-free teeth is always our top priority.

What Are Common Signs I Need a Root Canal Treatment?

Signs of tooth pulp inflammation or infection requiring root canal therapy include the following:

A severe toothache
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Swollen, tender gums
A bump on the gum that resembles a pimple
Darkening or discoloration of the affected tooth
Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

Tooth pulp damage does not always produce symptoms, which is why it’s necessary to keep up with your routine dental exams and cleanings. If we uncover any problems, we will recommend prompt treatment to prevent further tooth damage or complications.

What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?

Here’s a look at some of the benefits of root canal therapy:

Root canal therapy is relatively comfortable, comparable to having a cavity filled.
Despite its reputation, root canal therapy relieves pain and discomfort rather than causing it.
Root canals preserve natural teeth, preventing the need for extraction.
The endodontic procedure improves a patient’s oral and overall health and well-being.
With proper care, your root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime.

What Is the Root Canal Procedure?

We will start by administering local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation to help you relax during treatment. Once you’re ready, we will create a small access opening in the tooth’s crown to remove the infected pulp tissues and clean and disinfect your root canals. Next, we will fill your root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and seal the area to prevent reinfection.

After root canal therapy, the treated tooth may become brittle and prone to fracture. We typically recommend placing a dental crown to protect the treated tooth and restore its strength, function, and appearance.