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A root canal is a treatment that comes into play when it's time to repair and save a decayed or infected tooth. The process involves removing the nerve and pulp inside the tooth, and the entire procedure is fairly notorious for being painful. It's not as bad as its reputation, however, and it's one of Oahu Dental Care’s many specialties.

As a full-service family dental practice with locations in Pearl City and Honolulu, the staff at Oahu Dental Care want to make your experience at the dentist as safe and compassionate as possible. That begins with knowledge, so before you go through with a root canal, ease your mind with a look at what to expect:

  • Root CanalX-Ray & Anesthesia: The first part of the process should be familiar to anyone who's been to the dentist before. First, an X-ray will be taken to determine the shape of the canals and to look for any signs of infection in the surrounding area. Once that's done, your dentist or endodontist will apply anesthesia. While not always necessary due to the fact that the nerve in question is dead, the area is typically anesthetized for the patient's comfort.  
  • Drilling & Cleaning: Once a rubber dam is placed to keep the area around the tooth dry, an access hole will be drilled. This part of the process involves removing the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and other debris, after which root canal files will be used to fully clean the area.
  • Sealing & Restoration: Sealing comes next, but when it happens is up to your dentist. It sometimes helps to wait about a week before the tooth is sealed, especially if there's an infection that requires medication. With sealing complete, the tooth may need further protection through additional restoration work. 

It can sound scary, but a root canal is nothing to worry about when you have a reliable dentist performing the procedure. That's precisely what you'll get with Oahu Dental Care. Head to their website to read about their team and learn more about their many services, and call them at (808) 456-5005 to set up an appointment in Pearl City today. To reach the Honolulu dentist office, call (808) 732-2821.

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