A cracked or infected tooth can't repair itself. To survive, it needs expert care from Dr. P. Steven Wainess, your dentist in St. Clair Shores. He offers root canal therapy to save endangered teeth; this reliable restoration leaves your tooth comfortable, strong and beautiful. Why would you need a root canal?
 

Know what a root canal is

It's not the painful, long process people believe it to be. Instead, it's a two-visit procedure which removes inflamed pulp tissue from inside a front or back tooth. With the benefit of local anesthesia, you'll undergo this treatment which heals infection and strengthens tooth structure. Also called endodontic therapy, root canal treatments are wonderful alternatives to tooth loss.

After a qualifying exam and X-rays, you receive a numbing injection. Then, Dr. Wainess opens each narrow chamber, or root canal, in the affected tooth. and removes the infected pulp or nerve. The adult tooth no longer requires this nerve tissue and actually can last a lifetime without it.

Once your Dr. Wainess cleans all canals, he disinfects them and fills them with a biocompatible sealant called gutta-percha. Then, he places a temporary restoration over the tooth. You go home to heal, gently cleaning the area and eating a softer diet for about a week or so.

Next, you'll return to the office. Teeth treated with root canal therapy benefit from final restoration with a customized porcelain crown.
 

Reasons to get a root canal

There are many reasons why Dr. P. Steven Wainess recommends a root canal:

1. To stop infection from spreading beyond the original site
2. To avoid extracting a damaged or abscessed tooth and the accompanying consequences of tooth loss
3. To improve smile appearance and the oral functions of biting, chewing and speaking
4. To quell pain and dental sensitivity to cold, heat and pressure
5. To alleviate the symptoms of abscess--drainage, bad breath, and throbbing toothache

Find out more

Never wait on tooth ache pain or other oral symptoms. If you are concerned about the health of a tooth, contact the office of Dr. P. Steven Wainess in St. Clair Chores. A root canal or other restorative treatment could save that ailing tooth. Phone our office team at (586) 293-1515.