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General Dentistry & Oral Hygiene

Dental Cleanings & Check-Ups

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Tooth Extractions

Root Canal Therapy
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Root Canal Therapy

Dr. Kim Can Eliminate Your Pain

The root canal is the inner chamber of your tooth that contains the pulp, which is made up of blood vessels and nerve tissues that nurture the tooth. If these tissues become infected, it can be severely painful and will generally need treatment.

Dr. Kim offers safe, gentle root canal therapy, as a quick treatment to relieve your pain and save your damaged tooth, without having to extract it. Learn about root canal therapy and see when you should give us a call if you experience the symptoms of an infected pulp.

Our Root Canal Treatment

When the pulp is damaged, it breaks down and the bacteria multiply within the pulp chamber. This is where the dying pulp pieces live and can cause serious infection or a tooth abscess. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the tooth root which causes tooth pain.

For your root canal therapy, Dr. Kim will always prioritize your comfort and safety. Many patients think root canal therapy is painful, but this isn’t true. In fact, neglecting to treat your infected tooth will result in far greater pain than getting care when you initially notice your discomfort.

The process is relatively fast at our Glen Mills office and it will save you money down the line, eliminating the need to extract the infected tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. When the infection is removed from your tooth’s pulp, Dr. Kim will safely seal up your tooth with a crown to restore function and beauty in your smile. This treatment will also prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth, your jaw, or other susceptible areas of your body.

Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy

Typically, the pulp of your tooth becomes infected when the tooth’s enamel has been worn down by extreme damage or decay. This leaves your nerves and underlying tissues exposed, often resulting in acute pain.

Additional factors that can cause the pulp in your tooth to become infected include a faulty crown, an overly large filling, or if the tooth has undergone repeated dental procedures in the past.

Call us right away at (610) 358-5690 if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Persistent, severe tooth pain
  • Sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Swollen and tender gums
  • Pain when you eat or touch the tooth
  • A chipped or cracked tooth
  • Tooth mobility

Frequently Asked Questions

Does root canal therapy hurt?

When you receive root canal therapy at our dental office, you’ll experience little to no pain during the procedure because we typically offer sedation for it. Many of our patients say they actually experience more pain prior to their treatment than during the actual procedure.

After your root canal therapy is finished, you may experience some discomfort, but you can use OTC pain medication to help relieve it.

Should my tooth hurt a week after the procedure?

It’s common to experience sensitivity or discomfort within a few days to a week after root canal therapy because it may have caused inflammation in the nerve inside the tooth.

During your healing period, the sensitivity will diminish, but if it’s still bothering you after a week, just give our office a call to get it checked.

What is root canal retreatment?
A root canal retreatment may be necessary if a previously root canal treated tooth fails to heal or if a recurrent infection is apparent. If this happens to you, there’s no need to worry. With Dr. Kim, it’s an easy fix that will only benefit your health and smile in the future.
How can you tell if a tooth is dead?
If your tooth dies, you may first begin to notice it to become discolored. Tooth pain and gum pain will also very likely occur if the decay continues to be ignored. Many people say that they will also have a bad taste and smell in their mouths.
How long does root canal therapy take?
The root canal therapy process is generally done in one or two appointments. Each visit will last up until 90 minutes each.

 Call (610) 358-5690 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kim. You’ll be glad you did.