“It’s better than a root canal.”

Root canals enjoy a notorious reputation for pain and agony in popular culture. However technological advances in dentistry and gentle care by dentists like Drs. Adam and Jana Cormier mean that modern root canal patients experience limited to no pain during the procedure.

At Cormier Family Dentistry we pride ourselves on providing great care to all of our patients in the Shreveport area. We take time at your appointment to discuss the root canal procedure and to guide you through the entire procedure from surgery to recovery. We also offer sedation dentistry as an option for patients who experience great anxiety to help you relax during your procedure.

Why do I need a root canal?

Infected teeth can cause agonizing pain for patients. An infected tooth may exhibit sensitivity to heat or cold. Infected teeth may also ring with pain when you bite down too hard. An infected tooth generally causes impairment to daily activities and sometimes-agonizing pain.

When teeth become infected, typically the nerves at the root of the tooth are involved. In order to ease your your pain and heal the infection, these nerves must be removed. Left untreated, a tooth infection may grow to cause other oral health problems. The development of an abscess is the common result of an infected tooth left untreated. Abscesses are a serious oral health issue that often lead to bone loss in the jaw. Left untreated your infection may spread to other teeth in your mouth, creating the need for multiple procedures to correct the damage. Early intervention is a high priority for any tooth infection!

What is the procedure like?

We will numb the area around the tooth with local anesthetic to reduce pain and increase your comfort. Once the area is thoroughly numbed, the dentist drills into the tooth to create an opening in the canal of the tooth to access the infected nerves. Once the infected tissue is removed, this canal is filled with a sealant. Typically we recommend a dental crown be fitted over the treated tooth to both improve the cosmetic appearance of the tooth and to protect the tooth.

Patients do experience some pain after the procedure, but it is similar to the soreness experienced after other dental procedures like fillings. Patients may use over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling. In some cases we also prescribe painkillers. Patients experience tremendous pain relief once the infection is gone.

If you feel you may have an infected tooth that requires a root canal, do not delay treatment! The relief provided by a root canal procedure far outpaces any discomfort during or after the procedure. Left untreated, patients who require root canals experience more pain, discomfort, and costly side effects like bone loss and the potential infection of other teeth.

At Cormier Family Dentistry we will help make your root canal procedure as easy and painfree as possible. Please call our office today to set-up and appointment. Our office may be reached at +1 318-868-4072