Don’t Live With Tooth Pain Any Longer
Root canal therapy doesn’t have to be the ordeal you’ve heard about. Modern techniques and proper anesthesia mean most patients experience no more discomfort than getting a filling, while the procedure itself eliminates the infection causing their pain. At our Seattle practice, we focus on efficient, precise treatment that gets you out of pain and back to your life. Dr. Robert Johnson has performed root canals for over 20 years and completed more than 2,100 hours of advanced training, including teaching endodontic techniques at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Our office is a block from Westlake Station, with validated parking if you’re driving. We schedule appointments throughout the day so you can get treatment without disrupting your entire week. If you’re in pain or need root canal therapy, call our Seattle dentist at (206) 682-3888 to get scheduled.
Why Choose Our Seattle Dental Practice for Root Canal Therapy?
Dr. Robert Johnson brings over 20 years of experience and more than 2,100 hours of advanced training to every root canal procedure, along with a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. His extensive background includes serving as an assistant professor at the University of Washington and on the surgical staff of Overlake Hospital, ensuring you receive expert, compassionate care focused on saving your natural teeth.
Conveniently located at 509 Olive Way in downtown Seattle’s Central Business District, our modern dental office is just a block from Westlake Station with validated parking available. We offer flexible scheduling and state-of-the-art technology to make your root canal treatment as comfortable and efficient as possible. Contact our Seattle dental team at (206) 682-3888 to schedule your consultation.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a dental procedure used to remove the infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and clean and shape the root canals. The root canals are then filled and sealed to prevent bacteria from reinfecting the tooth. This helps save the tooth and prevent further damage or infection.
Each tooth has a soft inner layer known as the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that keep the tooth healthy and alive. When the pulp becomes infected or damaged, it can lead to pain, sensitivity, and even tooth loss.
Anatomy of a Tooth
Each tooth consists of three main parts:
- Crown: The crown is the visible part of the tooth above the gum line. It’s covered by a protective layer called enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body.
- Dentin: Beneath the enamel lies the dentin, a yellowish layer that forms the bulk of the tooth structure. Dentin isn’t as hard as enamel, but it still provides support and protection.
- Pulp: The innermost part of the tooth is known as the pulp. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, playing a vital role in tooth development during childhood.
When Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?
Root canal therapy may be necessary for several situations, including:
- Dental Decay: When left untreated, a cavity can spread to the tooth’s pulp and cause infection.
- Dental Trauma: A tooth that’s been fractured or chipped can allow bacteria to enter the pulp and cause infection.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease can cause pockets around the tooth, allowing bacteria to enter and infect the pulp.
Root canal therapy is often the best way to treat these issues and prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue. Contact our top-rated dentist today.
Signs of Dental Infection
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a dental infection that requires root canal therapy:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums
- Discoloration of the toothPain when chewing or biting
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
What Our Seattle Patients Say
- “Dr.Tran is the absolute best!! She always checks in on how I’m doing throughout our service. Her bedside manner is unmatched, and is by far the best dentist I have ever been to. I leave feeling confident about my dental care both in office and at home. I highly recommend seeing her!!” – Jay
- “I was seated promptly. Dr. Johnson painlessly and efficiently repaired my chipped tooth, and it looks and feels great now! I appreciate the kind and professional treatment I received from Dr. Johnson and his assistant, Tamar.” – Robin A.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment in Seattle
There are many benefits to undergoing root canal treatment, including:
- Saving the Tooth: Root canal therapy can help save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction.
- Relieving Pain: Root canal therapy can help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by infection or damage to the pulp.
- Preventing Further Damage: By removing the infected or damaged pulp, root canal therapy can prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue.
- Restoring Function: With a filling in place, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy can be fully restored and function like a natural tooth.
Endodontic Treatments
There are several types of endodontic treatment, and the type you receive will depend on your specific dental needs. Common endodontic treatments include:
- Root Canal Therapy: Involves removing the infected or damaged pulp and cleaning and filling the root canal. Once the root canal is filled, the tooth is restored with a filling or crown.
- Apicoectomy: In some cases, root canal therapy may not be enough to treat the infection or damage to the tooth. In these cases, an apicoectomy may be necessary. This involves removing the root’s tip and any infected tissue and sealing the root to prevent further infection.
- Pulp Capping: If the damage to the tooth is minor and hasn’t caused an infection, our dentist may recommend a pulp capping procedure. This involves placing special material over the damaged pulp to help it heal and prevent further damage.
- Regenerative Endodontics: This newer type of root canal therapy helps the damaged pulp in young teeth heal and regenerate. This involves using special materials to stimulate the growth of new pulp tissue and blood vessels in the tooth.
- Root Canal Retreatment: In some cases, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may become infected again. In these cases, non-surgical root canal retreatment may be necessary to remove the infection and restore the tooth.
Please note that Aesthetic Dental Associates may not offer all root canal treatments listed above. Call (206) 682-3888 for any questions you have.
The Root Canal Treatment Process
Here’s what you can expect with a root canal treatment:
- X-rays: Our dentist will first take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone.
- Dental Sedation: A local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth. This is done to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. If you’re extra nervous, talk to your dentist to see if they offer dental sedation options.
- Pulpectomy: A hole is drilled into the tooth to create an opening. We’ll use specialized tools to remove the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris from inside the tooth and its root canal.
- Cleaning and Shaping: After the pulp has been removed, our dentist will clean, enlarge, and shape the canals to prepare them for the filling. This process is usually accomplished with tiny files, and a disinfecting solution may be used to kill any remaining bacteria and wash away debris.
- Filling the Canals: Once the canals are cleaned, they’re sealed with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the canals.
- Temporary Filling: A temporary filling material is placed on top of the gutta-percha to close the opening until the tooth is ready for its permanent restoration. We’ll remove this temporary filling before the tooth is restored.
- Restoration: After healing, the tooth will need a permanent restoration, such as a dental crown or a filling, to replace the lost tooth structure and provide a complete seal to the top of the tooth. This step is crucial to protect the tooth from infection or breaking in the future and to restore its function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Root canal therapy is considered safe. The treatment involves removing the infected or damaged pulp from the tooth’s root canal and then filling it with a biocompatible material.
Root canal therapy can be done on most teeth, but there may be some exceptions. Teeth with severe decay, extensive damage, or fractures may not be suitable for root canal treatment. In some cases, a tooth may need extraction instead.
Generally, a root canal procedure can be completed in one or two visits. The duration of root canal treatment can vary depending on the tooth’s complexity and the extent of the damage. After the root canal treatment, the tooth may need to be restored with a crown or filling to protect it and restore its function.
Stop Suffering – Root Canal Care Is In Seattle
You don’t have to live with throbbing tooth pain that keeps you up at night or stops you from enjoying your favorite foods. Whether you’re in Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, or right here in Seattle, Dr. Johnson and our compassionate team understand how debilitating dental pain can be – and we’re ready to help you find relief. Every day you wait is another day of unnecessary suffering when proven, gentle treatment is available just minutes away. Our modern root canal therapy has helped thousands of patients reclaim their comfort and confidence, and you could be next.
Don’t let fear or delay cost you your natural tooth. Take control of your dental health today and call (206) 682-3888 to schedule your consultation with our dentist in Seattle. Your pain-free smile is waiting.