Root Canal Treatment Specialist in Las Vegas, NV

During a root canal treatment, there are three separate stages involved in this detailed procedure. Each step of a root canal treatment is performed to ensure the risk of reinfection is minimized so you get to enjoy the best clinical results.

Stage 1: Extirpation

A rubber dam and clamp are placed, and a small file is used to perform the first clean of the root canal to help remove the nerve, control any infection, and medicate the tooth. This stage can take anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes to complete, depending on the complexity of your tooth.

Stage 2: Instrumentation

Again, a rubber dam and clamp will be placed, and a detailed clean will be performed on the root canal to ensure no bacteria is overrunning the area and the tooth is now pain-free. This stage can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to complete and will depend on the complexity of your tooth.

Stage 3: Obturation

This is the final stage, and the rubber dam and clamp will still be in place. This stage is performed when the tooth is completely pain-free, and the root canals are now filled with a special gutta-percha material that helps to seal up the root canal treatment. This final stage will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending again on the complexity of your tooth.

There should be no significant pain felt after your root canal treatment; however, you may notice sensitivity for a few days after the initial treatment. You may be prescribed pain relievers, or you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to help, usually, any sensitivity will decrease within one to two weeks.

Recovery after a root canal will take around a week or less. As stated previously, you may feel mild discomfort or sensitivity for the first few days up to two weeks after the root canal treatment, but it can be easily managed with pain reliever medication. If you notice any severe pain or discomfort longer than a week after your root canal treatment, it is best to reach out to our clinic or your primary healthcare provider.

In many cases, the patients who have an infected tooth do not even know they do. On the off chance, you do begin to notice anything off, these particular symptoms will be the signs that you may have a root canal infection:

• Never-ending tooth pain

While many different dental issues can cause tooth pain; however, if the pain is felt deep within your tooth, you may need a root canal. You may also feel pain radiate into the jaw, other teeth, and the rest of your face.

• Tooth sensitivity to cold and heat

If you begin to notice sensitivity to hot or cold items like cold ice cream, or hot tea, it may mean you need a root canal treatment. This is particularly true if the pain lingers on much longer than just a few seconds.

• Gums that have become swollen

If the tooth has become infected, pus will collect within the area, which oftentimes will lead to swollen, puffy, or tender gums. 

• Pimples occurring on the gums

There is a possibility that a pimple or boil may occur on the gums. Pus can develop from the infected tooth which drains from the pimple, which will cause an unkind smell or taste.

• A jaw that is swollen

There are times when pus isn’t able to drain from the site, if this is what has occurred, your jaw may become visibly swollen.

• Discolored tooth

If the pulp is infected, the tooth will begin to look much darker, this happens when there is a poor blood supply to the infected tooth.

• Pain to the tooth when pressure is being applied

Pain is often felt when you touch your tooth or you are eating, it often means the nerves that are surrounding the pulp have been damaged. 

• The tooth is cracked or chipped

Oftentimes, you will crack or chip your tooth on accident, particularly when you are playing sports or biting into something, if this happens, bacteria can enter and move up into the tooth’s pulp. 

• Loose tooth

A tooth infection may feel much looser, and this is due to a notice of pus from the infected pulp which will soften the bone that supports the tooth.

Oftentimes, if a tooth is being recommended for a root canal, it’s because it has a massive filling or the tooth is weakened due to extensive decay. Often a crown or other restoration methods will need to be placed on the tooth to protect it. A crown is a great choice to help protect the tooth from any further damage while allowing it to return to normal function. To consult our professionals, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4161 South Eastern Suite E8, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119. We serve patients from Las Vegas NV, Winchester NV, Paradise NV, Spring Valley NV, North Las Vegas NV, Whitney NV, and surrounding areas.