Root Canals
If you’ve been told you need a root canal, you can forget all the jokes and stories because they’re yesterday’s news. Modern root canals are straightforward, comfortable procedures that help us save teeth from extraction.
When a tooth becomes infected, we need to treat it promptly. There’s no need to suffer in pain, and the sooner we eliminate the infection, the better chance we have of saving the tooth.
Why Your Dentist Recommends a Root Canal
The pulp is the inner part of your tooth where the blood and nerves that supply the tooth are located. If a tooth has a crack, break, a deep cavity, or has suffered trauma, the pulp can become infected. When it does, the only procedure to treat it is a root canal.
Some symptoms that you need a root canal are:
- Tooth pain that keeps worsening
- Swollen, inflamed, or bleeding gums
- Extreme tooth sensitivity to touch or temperature
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- A white bump on your gums
If you notice any of these, call our Franklin dental office as soon as possible. We can perform a comfortable root canal and spare you needless pain and suffering.
What to Expect during Root Canal Therapy
Your comfort is our priority, so rest assured we will do everything we can to ensure you have a smooth, stress-free procedure. The first step is to numb the tooth we’re treating with powerful anesthetics to ensure that you don’t feel any pain.
Stress-Free Care with Sedation Dentistry
We also cater to anxious patients by offering three levels of dental sedation: nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Dr. Avrit and his dental team will be happy to explain to you the pros and cons of each and help you determine which will provide the most comfort for you.
Efficient Treatment with Modern Technology
Removal of the infected dental pulp is done through a tiny access hole in your tooth. Using leading-edge rotary endodontics, Dr. Avrit efficiently clears out every trace of the infection. He then
disinfects the area, fills the tooth, seals it, and places a temporary filling to protect it as it heals.
After Your Root Canal
It’s common to experience some soreness in the area for a day or two following your root canal. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers is typically enough to resolve any discomfort, but please call us if you are experiencing any pain.
We’ll give the tooth about two weeks to heal, then have you return to our Franklin dental office so Dr. Avrit can take an x-ray to confirm the infection is gone. At that time, we’ll place either a final filling on the tooth or protect it with a dental crown.
Do You Think You Need a Root Canal?
If you have any symptoms above and think you need an emergency root canal, please call our Franklin dental office so we can help you.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Matt Avrit
Dr. Matt Avrit was born and raised here in Nashville, TN, where he graduated from Goodpasture High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 1998.
He worked for General Electric and BASF before returning to school, earning his DMD degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 2007. Dr. Avrit was accepted into an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program with the United States Air force at David Grant Medical Center, where he received specialized training in advanced dental techniques.
For ...
Root Canals Technology
Rotary Endodontics
The traditional method for performing a root canal involves manual instruments that do a thorough yet time-consuming job. At McKay’s Mill Dental, Dr. Avrit has invested in rotary endodontic technology that speeds your treatment and reduces the time you need to spend in the dental chair.
Rotary endodontic technology is power-driven, so our dentist can work most efficiently. And the design of the instrument allows him to easily reach deep into the smallest areas to remove every trace of infection from your tooth thoroughly.
Many of our patients report that a root canal with rotary endodontics is the most comfortable and efficient they’ve ever experienced!
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is also known as "laughing gas" or "happy gas" and is a completely safe and effective technique for relieving pain and discomfort and calming nervous or apprehensive patients.
You won’t go to sleep with nitrous oxide, but you will feel calmer and much more relaxed during your appointment. You will know where you are and what’s happening, but it will seem very far away.
We administer nitrous through a comfortable nose mask that delivers a steady stream of nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen. Our dental team is trained to safely use nitrous oxide and monitor you throughout treatment to make sure you’re calm and comfortable.