Root Canal for Urbandale, IA | Urbandale Smiles | Cosmetic & Holistic Dentistry

Root Canal services offered in Urbandale, IA

A root canal can prevent an extraction if the soft inner part of a tooth (pulp) becomes infected. At Urbandale Smiles in Urbandale, Iowa, experienced cosmetic and implant dentists regularly perform root canal therapy. A root canal is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that’s safe and virtually pain-free. Call the office to request a root canal consultation today, or book online.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a type of oral surgery. During treatment, your Urbandale Smiles provider uses special tools to remove the pulp –– a mix of soft tissue and blood vessels –– from the center of your tooth. Removing the tooth pulp prevents infection, reduces inflammation, and preserves your smile.

When is a root canal necessary?

At Urbandale Smiles, the dentists use root canals to treat damaged or infected tooth pulp caused by:

Untreated cavities
Extensive dental work
Chips or cracks
A blow to the mouth

If you experience tooth pain, swelling, or a sensation of heat in your gums, contact Urbandale Smiles immediately.

What does a root canal involve?

At Urbandale Smiles, root canal therapy takes two visits several weeks apart.

Your provider reviews your dental records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an oral exam. Then, they take digital X-rays to get a closer look at your affected tooth and the pulp inside. If your X-rays show infection or inflammation, you qualify for root canal therapy.

Your dentist administers a local anesthetic and uses handheld tools to remove the pulp from the center of your tooth. After cleaning out the tooth, your provider applies a topical antibiotic, ensuring the infection doesn’t return. Then, they fill your tooth with a material called gutta-percha, take impressions of your tooth, and cover it with a temporary crown.

Your dentist sends the impressions to a nearby lab that creates a custom dental crown from porcelain or ceramic.

When the lab finishes your custom crown, you return to Urbandale Smiles. Your dentist replaces your temporary crown with the permanent one, bonds it in place, and checks your bite. Then, they answer your questions and provide care instructions.

What is recovery like after a root canal?

After a root canal, you may experience increased tooth sensitivity and mild swelling. The first 24 hours after treatment, get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and follow your provider’s recovery instructions. You may need to eat soft foods for several days, like yogurt, soup, or scrambled eggs. Continue brushing and flossing, just more gently than usual.

Call Urbandale Smiles to learn more about root canal therapy, or book online today.