Root Canal Treatment in Portland, OR

A root canal is a dental procedure that involves the removal of the soft center of the tooth, known as the pulp. The pulp is made up of nerves, connective tissue, and blood arteries that aid in the growth of the tooth. In most circumstances, a regular dentist or endodontist will perform a root canal while you are sedated. At Dr. Little's office, we provide painless root canal therapy to ease tooth discomfort and stabilize your tooth after an infection or trauma.

Why You Might Require a Root Canal Treatment

Bacteria can enter the pulp when a tooth is broken, chipped, or has a deep cavity. An injury to the tooth can also result in pulp damage and inflammation. Bacteria and rotting material can create a significant infection or a tooth abscess if left untreated, resulting in pulp death, bone loss, and tooth loss. Swelling around your face and neck, a hole in your tooth, toothache or dental discomfort, gum swelling, and temperature sensitivity are all possible signs and symptoms.

Root Canal Procedure

• To begin, our skilled dentist will numb the tooth and surrounding gums with a local anesthetic. When the tooth is numb, the dentist may insert a dental dam, which is a tiny sheet of rubber that isolates the tooth during the process to keep it clean and dry.
• After making an opening in the top of the tooth, our dentist will use small tools to access the inside of the tooth.
• They will then use small files to remove the injured pulp from the inside of the tooth. They will also shape the interior chamber of the tooth and root using files and may irrigate the chamber with water to ensure there is no infected pulp. An antimicrobial solution may also be used by our dental expert to eliminate any leftover germs in the chamber and limit the risk of subsequent illness.
• After completely cleaning and drying the chamber, our dentist will fill it with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material. Then, while you wait for the permanent crown, a temporary filling will be inserted to close the opening in your tooth.
• After a few weeks, your dentist will complete the treatment by affixing a permanent crown or a similar type of repair to the tooth. 

To learn more about our root canal treatments, visit our dentist, Dr. Little, at 4455 Sw Scholls Ferry Rd Suite 101 Portland, Oregon, 97225. You can also reach Dentist Portland, OR at (503) 291-0000 or (503) 292-6677 to schedule an appointment.