Category: Root Canals

In skilled, experienced hands, a root canal procedure is nothing to fear. Rather, this gentle, precise dental technique gets you out of pain and saves your natural tooth. The anxiety about this treatment has become almost cliché in our society. When describing something they dread, people often say, “I’d rather have a root canal.” Or, “It’s about as much fun as a root canal.” So, let’s take a factual look at how the patient feels before, during, and after root canal therapy.

Before. You said something you shouldn’t have to that big guy in the bar, or took a spill on your mountain bike. Luckily, the tooth that took the brunt of it didn’t break, but it’s a little tender when you chew. A few days later, you wake in the night with a swollen cheek and intense pain in your jaw. You aren’t even sure what’s causing it, but you remember the incident and call Pleasant Dental.

Dr. Dietrich explains that the trauma to your tooth likely damaged the nerve at its center. That nerve has become inflamed, causing the tooth to abscess. That builds incredible pressure within the pulp chamber. Now the soft tissues around the tooth are also irritated. He recommends warm compresses and over-the-counter analgesics to ease your pain. He will likely also prescribe an antibiotic, depending on your symptoms and medical history. You are scheduled for an appointment, right away.

During. Dr. Dietrich and his team make sure you are comfortable in the chair. You are thoroughly numbed, and they take every precaution so that you have no distress during the procedure. Now that you are out of pain from the infection, the root canal is no more stressful than having a filling. The doctor opens the tooth, which immediately eases pressure on the nerve, relieving you even more. All traces of infection and compromised tooth structure are removed. The pulp chamber is cleaned, sterilized, and sealed. The tooth will ultimately be protected with a temporary and eventually a permanent crown.

After. You feel distinctly better at once, but you’ll go home with instructions for aftercare and additional pain relievers if you need them. The swelling is gone and you are chewing normally on that side in a day or two. Then you return to Pleasant Dental in about two weeks. Dr. Dietrich rechecks the tooth and places a lovely, natural-looking crown to provide strength and protect it from further damage.

There now, don’t you feel better about root canals? We hope you never need one, but if you do, have no fear. Call your Dolton, Illinois Pleasant Dental dentist for help! [phone]

At one time, extraction was the only feasible treatment for a tooth with a diseased nerve. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. We can remove the infection, and save the natural tooth with root canal therapy (endodontic treatment). Despite popular misconceptions, a root canal is not an excruciating and risky procedure. Quite the contrary, it is nearly always painless, with a high success rate.

Dental pulp is a soft tissue comprised of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. It is found in the middle of the tooth, extending to the root tip. Several factors, including decay, trauma or poor oral hygiene can lead to nerve and pulp damage. Damage, infection, and inflammation often result in frequent toothaches and temperature sensitivity. Unfortunately, this problem generally will not resolve itself – the pain, discomfort, and dental emergencies(like sudden abscesses) will continue until you have a root canal.

Root canal therapy removes the damaged dental pulp, eliminating the source of the problem. Because the pulp is virtually always infected if it is damaged, we recommend a course of oral antibiotics prior to treatment. Some dentists may perform the procedure on an actively infected tooth, but the irritated nerve is often impossible to numb completely. After antibiotic treatment, the infection subsides enough that local anesthetic is effective, for a painless root canal.

Once your tooth is completely numb, Dr. Dietrich will remove the infected tissues, and cleanse the inside of the tooth. When all infection and damaged tissues have been removed, the chamber is shaped into a form that can be filled. If needed, medication will be put in the chamber to kill any remaining bacteria. The final step is filling and sealing, to ensure no bacteria can reenter. You can remain completely comfortable, if a bit bored, throughout the process.

Although the root canal therapy is complete when the tooth is sealed, it leaves the tooth structure weakened. Therefore, a dental crown is usually placed for strength and protection, as well as cosmetic and functional restoration.

Root canal procedures don’t cause pain; they end pain! Call Pleasant Dental serving Dolton and Chicago today, at [phone], for a painless smile!

While I may be a super dentist (speaking modestly as I always do), I am also a person capable of having the same dental issues as anyone else. Of course I do what I can to prevent disease, brushing and flossing religiously and getting regular checkups. Sometimes that isn’t enough.

Last fall I started having my first toothache. At first it was just an annoying ache but started becoming more consistent over a bit of time. I ran straight into my office and saw — myself. I had my staff take an X-ray and realized I needed a root canal.

It turned out I had cracked a tooth from clenching or grinding my teeth at night. I was occasionally wearing a night guard, as I recommend to my patients who have this habit, but apparently I didn’t wear it enough as the damage was done.

I had the root canal, but before I could get the crown done the tooth cracked the rest of the way and had to be removed.

Without hesitation I made an appointment with one of the surgeons I refer to for an implant to be placed. I thought this will be a great opportunity for me to experience the process first hand. That makes it easier to talk to you about the implant process.

Since I had already waited some months for the bone to heal, I was able to have the implant placed in the first visit. I have to say I believe I experienced more discomfort from the root canal and the subsequent extraction than I did for the placement of the implant. In fact I took one Ibuprofen at the end of the appointment and that is all I ever needed.

If you need an implant don’t let fear of pain or the actual implant placement stop you. If costs hold you back ask us, or the specialists we use, about low or no interest financing.

Call us at [phone] today to schedule an Implant evaluation.

At the practice of Dr. Dean Dietrich in the Dolton, IL area, many patients may find out that they need root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is a procedure that is performed by a dentist who wants to help maintain the structure of a natural tooth and avoid extraction. There are many reasons a patient may need to undergo root canal therapy. They may have had trauma to the tooth that has affected the dental pulp, causing pain. They may be experiencing a deep cavity or infection within the tooth that is resulting in discomfort. A toothache is often a sign of a problem and must be evaluated by a quality dentist to determine the best treatment option.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental is a dentist who can diagnose a problem, provide treatment, and restore the smile with endodontic therapy. The procedure is done in his practice under appropriate sedation and anesthetics for optimum comfort, though many patients associate root canals with pain. This is never the case; we want to make sure our patients are comfortable before, during, and after their procedure. This is a common fear of many patients, but they are assured in our practice that they will be comfortable.

In fact in our office root canal therapy is easily the procedure that more patients fall asleep during than anything else we do. Generally the treatment is comfortable if only somewhat tedious. Vibrations on the tooth is about all you typically experience.

Shortly after the root canal therapy, patients often have their tooth prepped and impressions made to fabricate a dental crown for placement over the top. This provides an extra layer of protection for the tooth that may be weakened due to the damage that caused the need for the root canal treatment.

If you are in the Dolton, IL area and are interested in finding out more about the advantages of root canal therapy, Dr. Dean Dietrich is here to provide more information. Contact Pleasant Dental today to book a consultation visit.

Dr. Dean Dietrich is known as one of the “Top Docs in Chicago” and he continues to stand by his practice with a wide range of services including endodontics. Not every dentist in the area offers endodontics, which includes the ability to perform root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy may be necessary in certain situations. Also called endodontic therapy, this dental procedure is done when the dentist removes the dental pulp (nerve tissue) from inside the tooth. This deadens the tooth and maintains the structure without pain or discomfort for the patients. This procedure is typically done to save a tooth from extraction. Many dentists do not perform root canal therapy, so having one that offers endodontics is a wonderful asset.

Dr. Dean Dietrich may perform endodontic therapy for patients who are experiencing one of the following issues:

• An abscess
• Tooth decay that results in an infection of the dental pulp
• Trauma to a tooth that results in infection
• Inflammation of the dental pulp
• Diseased nerves inside a tooth

At Pleasant Dental, we perform root canal therapy as an alternative to extraction. This is done to avoid the need for restorations such as implants, dentures, and dental bridges. Many times, we can save a tooth and allow patients to maintain their natural smile. It is much more affordable than extraction and restoration. Root canal therapy is done with local anesthetics ensure optimum comfort throughout the procedure. This procedure is relatively routine and Dr. Dean Dietrich has extensive experience in providing treatment for patients who need it. Patients should never be worried about this procedure, thinking it is painful and uncomfortable, when that couldn’t be further from the truth! Patients are often in pain before they decide to have the procedure done, and this treatment can relieve them of discomfort that they may have dealt with.

Dr. Dean Dietrich is excited to have a wide range of aesthetic, general, and restorative services in his practice, including the ability to perform endodontic therapy. Contact Pleasant Dental today to book an appointment and find out how versatile his practice can be for both adults and children.

When patients think of root canal treatment, they often have a negative association due to thoughts of pain and discomfort. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It is often pain that brings patients to the dentist, and they find out that the best way to eliminate pain is to perform root canal treatment.

A root canal, also called “endodontic therapy,” is done to remove the inner portion of the tooth known as the dental pulp. This is a mass of tissues that is found at the center of the tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. Root canal therapy is done to remove the infected dental pulp, which deadens the tooth – eliminating the nerves that cause the sensation of pain. After the pulp has been removed, the inside of the tooth is disinfected and then filled with a substance called gutta percha. This material is almost like rubber and helps in sealing off the tooth to keep bacteria from entering. Additionally, the tooth is sealed with composite resin bonding and many times a dental crown is bonded over the top of the tooth. This is done to protect the tooth structure, as it can become brittle after root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy is a relatively common procedure done when a tooth has an abscess, has become infected, or has an extremely large cavity. Patients often experience a toothache, which brings them into Pleasant Dental for an examination by Dr. Dean Dietrich and his team. If it is determined that root canal therapy is necessary, it may be done during the same appointment if time allows. Most dental insurance plans will cover a portion of endodontic treatment so it is important for patients to bring their insurance cards to their visit.

If you live in the area of Dolton and are experiencing discomfort, you may benefit from root canal treatment. Dr. Dean Dietrich and the professionals at Pleasant Dental welcome new patients into their practice for a wide range of general, restorative, and aesthetic dentistry options.

When Dolton, IL area patients hear the words “root canal treatment,” they often have negative thoughts of pain. However, root canal treatment is performed to treat pain not to cause it. When the procedure is performed by the team at Pleasant Dental, patients can rest easy knowing they will be properly sedated for the entire procedure to ensure ultimate comfort. Dr. Dean Dietrich feel that proper education on root canal therapy is necessary so patients have all the information they need to decide if it is right for them.

What is root canal treatment?

What is an alternative to root canal therapy?

The only alternative to root canal therapy is the permanent removal of a tooth and sufficient replacement. Replacement may be done with:

• Dental implants
• Dental bridges
• Partial dentures

However, more time and money is spent in removal and replacement, making root canal therapy the preferable option.

Do you believe root canal therapy can help your smile?

If so, contact the team at Pleasant Dental. Dr. Dean Dietrich discuss with patients the situations in which root canal therapy may be required to bring the smile back to health. Call them today for an appointment at [phone] , and visit the practice conveniently located in Dolton, IL at 609 E. Sibley Blvd (147th).

People are afraid of a lot of things! Bacteria, flying, swallowing spiders while you sleep, spontaneous combustion, sharks, creepy china dolls and the supernatural all end up on lists of fears that people have. Another thing that pops up though are the words “root canal”. Pleasant Dental, in Dolton IL, gets it! Root canal treatment is usually the solution to severe tooth pain. Many mix the tooth pain with the treatment. If you are searching for root canal treatment near me in a search engine and want the place that strives to give you a gentle, comfortable and effective treatment, call us now!

Why root canal treatment is needed:

At the center of each of our teeth is an inner chamber filled with nerves and pulp. Sometimes, bacteria can enter through holes in our teeth and infect the dental pulp. When this happens, it can lead to an abscessed tooth. Abscessed teeth cause severe pain and facial swelling. Left untreated, the infection can move into the bones.

What root canal treatment is:

Root canal therapy seeks to remove the infected material from the interior chamber of the tooth. Treatment then sterilizes the inner tooth chamber, then seals the tooth off to prevent any further infections. A porcelain crown is utilized to aid in that protection and to help give you a gorgeous grin.

Treatment benefits:

• Saves money: Some people think that it’s better to just remove a tooth than pay for the root canal and crown. However, a missing tooth often leads to a cost for a replacement. Whether that is a dental implant or bridge, extensive visits are needed to replace the missing tooth. Also, a missing tooth or teeth can lead to future problems with bone structure of the jaw.
• Eliminates pain: People report dental pain as one of the most intense pains out there. Root canal therapy removes the infection, which removes the pain of an infected tooth.
• Protects the natural tooth.

Don’t suffer any longer with that awful tooth pain! Call us immediately to get started on a healthy and beautiful smile. [phone]