Root canal therapy at Moses Lake Family Dentistry is performed to save a tooth whose inner pulp — the nerve and blood vessel tissue — has become infected or irreversibly inflamed, typically due to deep decay, a crack, or trauma. The procedure involves removing the infected pulp, thoroughly cleaning and shaping the root canals, and sealing them to prevent re-infection. A crown is then placed over the treated tooth to restore its full strength and function. Modern root canal therapy, performed under local anaesthetic, is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed — the relief from the pre-existing infection is typically dramatic.
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The reputation is largely outdated — modern local anaesthetic techniques mean the procedure itself is performed with the tooth fully numb, and most patients report that the treatment is far less uncomfortable than the toothache that preceded it. Post-procedure soreness for 2–3 days is normal and manageable with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.
Most root canals at Moses Lake Family Dentistry are completed in one to two appointments. Straightforward single-rooted teeth are often finished in a single session; multi-rooted teeth or cases involving significant infection may require a second visit to ensure the canals are fully clean before permanent sealing.
Extraction removes the infection but leaves a gap that, if not replaced with an implant or bridge, causes the neighbouring teeth to drift and the jawbone beneath the gap to resorb over time. This bone loss can compromise adjacent teeth and make future implant placement more complex. Saving the natural tooth with a root canal is almost always the preferred clinical outcome.