Root Canals

Root canals are one of the most common types of oral surgery — more than 15 million Americans undergo a root canal each year. At Ford Dental Group, general and cosmetic dentist Hussein Abdel-Hak, DDS, and the team perform root canals to preserve damaged and/or infected teeth. Treatment is quick, effective, and prevents the need for extraction. To make an appointment, call the nearest office in Dearborn, Michigan, or book online today.

What is a root canal?

A root canal preserves a damaged or infected permanent tooth. 

During treatment, Dr. Abdel-Hak uses special tools to remove the pulp from the center of a damaged or decaying tooth. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels; it’s responsible for temperature sensations, like hot and cold, but isn’t necessary for a tooth’s long-term survival.

By removing the pulp, Dr. Abdel-Hak can stop the pain, prevent infection from spreading, and keep your smile intact.

Why are root canals necessary?

Dr. Abdel-Hak and the team use root canals to treat tooth pulp damage caused by:

• Untreated cavities
• Extensive dental work
• Chips or cracks
• Blows to the mouth

If you experience symptoms like tooth pain, swelling, or a sensation of heat in your gums, and they don’t respond to at-home treatment, contact Dr. Abdel-Hak immediately.

What happens during root canals?

At Ford Dental Group, root canal therapy takes a single visit.

Dr. Abdel-Hak reviews your dental records, performs an oral exam, and takes oral X-rays to look at your tooth roots, jaw, and alveolar bone (the bone that anchors your teeth). If the X-rays show pulp inflammation or damage, you qualify for treatment.

Dr. Abdel-Hak numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic and uses special tools to remove the inflamed or infected pulp from the center of your tooth. Next, he cleans your tooth out with an antiseptic solution and fills it with a material called gutta-percha.

When the gutta-percha dries, Dr. Abdel-Hak takes digital impressions of your tooth. Then, he uploads your impressions to a computer program and designs a custom crown. After finishing the design, Dr. Abdel-Hak uploads it to the onsite CEREC® milling machine.

The machine mills a custom crown from a block of porcelain. When the machine finishes, Dr. Abdel-Hak bonds the crown on top of your tooth, restoring your biting and chewing abilities.

What is recovery like after root canals?

After a root canal, your tooth might feel sensitive or sore when the anesthetic wears off. These symptoms usually subside within a day or two, but you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to help relieve them.

Avoid biting or chewing with your new crown for at least 24 hours. Continue brushing and flossing as normal.

About a week after your root canal, you return to Ford Dental Group for a checkup. Dr. Abdel-Hak performs an oral exam and takes a series of oral X-rays to ensure the infection is gone. 

To learn more about the benefits of root canals, make an appointment at Ford Dental Group by calling the nearest office or booking online today.