Dr. Matthew L. Bridges is a highly trained dentist, who has performed numerous root canal procedures. He is dedicated to patient comfort, and his gentle techniques and thorough explanation of your procedure will help you to relax. If you are suffering from the symptoms of a dental infection, or if you have been told you need root canal therapy, contact our office today.

Do I need a root canal?

Dr. Bridges typically recommends endodontics for patients who have an infected tooth. Dental infections occur when bacteria make their way to the soft pulp in the center of a tooth. Because this soft tissue also contains nerve endings, dental infection can cause significant discomfort. In other cases, structural damage to a tooth may necessitate root canal therapy.

Do root canals hurt?

According to surveys, many patients are extremely intimidated by the thought of undergoing a root canal. However, thanks to modern methods and medications, the procedure is much easier and more comfortable than most patients assume. 

Prior to your endodontic treatment, your Duncan dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums. During treatment, therefore, you should feel virtually no discomfort. You may experience some mild sensitivity after your procedure, but you can typically manage this with over-the-counter pain medications. 

How long do root canals take?

Most root canal procedures last between 30 minutes and an hour, though in cases of severe damage, it may take a bit longer. Bear in mind that the final step of root canal therapy is to restore the damaged tooth with a custom dental crown. Therefore, you will usually need to return for a second appointment so that Dr. Bridges can attach your permanent restoration. 

Is root canal therapy safe?  

Endodontics is very safe! In fact, dentists perform an estimated 15 million such procedures a year. Not only that, root canal therapy has a remarkable 97% success rate. 

What can I eat after my procedure?

Immediately after treatment, you should not eat until you have regained feeling in your gums. Once the anesthetic has worn off, it is safe to eat, but you should consume soft foods for a few days. Good options include scrambled eggs, yogurt, soups, and well-cooked vegetables. Your tooth may initially be sensitive to temperature, so you may need to avoid very hot and very cold foods. Dr. Bridges often recommends that his patients continue eating a soft diet until they receive their permanent crown. Once your tooth is fully restored, however, you should enjoy complete dental function. 

Why doesn’t my Duncan dentist just extract my tooth? 

Endodontic treatment is an extensive procedure, and some patients wonder if it would not be better simply to remove the damaged tooth. However, Dr. Bridges recommends extraction only as a last resort for teeth that cannot be saved. Root canal therapy can preserve natural teeth and their underlying roots. With extraction, on the other hand, you would need to have additional treatment to replace the tooth. Furthermore, unless you receive dental implants, your missing tooth root could lead to significant jawbone recession and additional tooth loss later down the road.  

Learn more about endodontics with an experienced Duncan dentist

If you have additional questions about endodontics, don’t hesitate to contact our office today! Dr. Bridges and his team are always happy to answer questions and address any concerns that you may have. You can reach us online or give us a call at 580-255-4880.

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If you are experiencing extreme tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or tooth discoloration, you may require the restorative benefits of root canal therapy. Contact your 73533 dentist Dr. Matthew L. Bridges at (580) 255-4880 today for a full mouth examination and professional, gentle root canal therapy treatment.

The Procedure

To many minds, root canal therapy sounds painful. In reality, most patients report feeling comfortable during their procedure. This is because the dentist provides a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area before the process begins.

The dentist starts by isolating the tooth and making an opening in the crown that exposes the pulp chamber. Any bacteria and debris that are the cause of your pain will then be removed.

Next, special tools are used to remove the pulp and clean and shape the canals. Then, the roots are filled with a material called gutta-percha, an inert rubber, and the top of the tooth is sealed to stop germs from returning to the tooth root. Finally, a filling or crown is placed to strengthen and protect your natural tooth structure.

Side Effects

For a couple of days following treatment, patients may feel mild sensitivity and tenderness caused by swollen or inflamed tissue around the gums. These common side effects should subside over time.

Dr. Bridges will do everything possible to ensure that you experience a comfortable treatment and a quick recovery. In rare cases, post-surgery complications may arise. Call our office if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Extreme pain or pressure after the first few days after treatment
• An allergic reaction to medication
• Visible swelling inside or outside the mouth
• An uneven bite
• A loose crown or filling
• Symptoms you experienced before treatment

Remember, a root canal is supposed to relieve your pain. If you think your pain or discomfort is unnatural, your 73533 dentist and his team will be happy to answer your questions.

Benefits

When possible, preserving the natural tooth is always in the best interest of a patient. Natural tooth roots prevent jawbone atrophy. Other benefits of root canal therapy include:

• A comfortable procedure: According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal patients are six times more likely to describe their procedure as painless compared to those who have a tooth extracted.
• A convenient treatment: A root canal is completed in one visit to your dentist. You’ll only need to visit the dentist again for a check-up or to have your permanent crown replaced.
• An affordable treatment: Tooth extractions require follow-up appointments for dentures, bridges, and implants once your mouth has healed, making those procedures more expensive than a root canal.

Visit Your 73533 Dentist Today

If an injured or infected tooth is left untreated, that tooth will eventually need to be extracted. Untreated infections can also spread to other teeth and surrounding tissues. Delayed treatments can lead to more expensive oral and overall health issues down the road. Schedule your treatment today. Contact Dr. Bridges and his friendly team at Chisholm Trail Smile Center by calling (580) 255-4880.

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No need to fret a root canal. Visit Chisholm Trail Smile Center! Duncan dentist Dr. Matthew Bridges will examine your teeth and x-rays to provide his opinion on your diagnosis. In some cases, root canal therapy isn’t even necessary. Call us at (580) 255-4880 to make an appointment.

Why not a simple crown?

If the dentist suggests root canal therapy, chances are you are in pain. That means that a crack or an infection has developed in the root of your tooth. A crack or cavity that’s been restored with a crown or filling can succumb to internal infection, if the restoration has failed. Other times, a perfectly healthy tooth incurs a crack that you’ll never notice, until infection enters the tooth’s core.

One of our foremost goals at Chisholm Trail Smile Center is to help you keep as much healthy dental tissue as you can, when we place dental restorations. You can be sure that Dr. Bridges will provide the least invasive treatment for this very reason. If he can repair your damaged tooth with a dental crown, he will.

However, if infection has reached the pulp in your tooth’s core and canals, a simple crown cannot restore the tooth. It would only trap the infection inside, and that’s not an option. In fact, the only possible treatment other than RCT would be extraction.

What is a root canal?

Your tooth has tunnels, or canals, running down through the roots. The canals branch off from a central core that’s filled with blood vessels, connective tissue, and a nerve. The core’s contents are collectively known as dental pulp.

When the pulp is infected, pressure on the tooth’s nerve causes pain. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that the patient cannot sleep or concentrate to work. During root canal therapy, the infected pulp is removed. All associated canals are cleaned and disinfected, then the core and canals are filled with a putty-like substance called gutta percha. To finish the procedure, a crown is secured to strengthen and protect the tooth.

The Bright Side – Keep your tooth!

Dr. Bridges offers topical anesthetic, local anesthetic, and even dental sedation if necessary, so your root canal therapy can be performed while you remain comfortable. If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, look at the bright side. After root canal therapy, your tooth will no longer ache. You’ll bite and chew without pain, and you didn’t have to undergo dental extraction, followed by implant placement. With today’s developments and technology, implants aren’t anything to fear either…but that’s another blog.

If you’ve been told that you need RCT or suspect that your toothache is due to an internal infection, Dr. Matthew Bridges can evaluate and diagnose the issue, and answer all your questions. Call our Duncan, OK dental office today at (580) 255-4880 to make an appointment.

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Though it may seem alarming at first to hear this prognosis, root canal therapy is actually a fairly common procedure used to save a tooth and prevent an extraction. If you are unsure on how to proceed after your diagnosis, it may be time to seek a second opinion. While there is a possibility the second dentist will give you the same prognosis, you will have peace of mind knowing it’s the right decision for your oral health, and you may find that the second dentist is more qualified. Below are some tips to help establish whether a second opinion should be pursued.

Dr. Matthew Bridges offers root canal therapy at our Duncan, OK practice. He will take the time to sit with you and explain the procedure in detail and answer any questions or concerns you may have. When selecting who to perform your procedure, it’s important that you choose a dentist, such as Dr. Bridges, who is both experienced and highly trained. For more information, contact us online to book your root canal treatment or call (580) 255-4880.

Is Your Dentist Experienced in Performing Root Canal Therapy?

Not all dentists are as experienced in root canal therapy as they are in performing other dental treatments. While the procedural steps are similar to a dental filling, they require more of a delicate nature and technique. To get a better understanding of your dentist’s experience, ask them how often they perform root canal therapy and what their success rate is. If their success rate is low or the procedure is performed only a few times a month, you may want to seek a second opinion from a more qualified professional. Your smile is an important part of your personhood and it should be entrusted to someone who will give it the attention and care it deserves.

Do You Like the Dentist?

Likability and good rapport are also important factors when choosing who to perform your procedure. In addition to receiving qualified and comprehensive care, you want to make sure you feel comfortable and at ease with your dentist. A good dentist will sit and listen to your concerns, explain the procedure in detail, and not make you feel rushed or disregarded. If you feel uneasy about your dentist, you may want to seek a second opinion.

Did the Dentist Try Conservative Treatment First?

Root canal therapy is usually recommended as a last recourse to avoid an extraction. Oftentimes, a dental filling or dental crown can be attempted first. This will depend on the severity of your damaged tooth and whether the infection has penetrated the root canals. When meeting with the dentist, ask if more conservative treatments are possible and have them explain why they may or may not work. Dr. Bridges believes in educating patients so they have a better understanding of what to expect. If you feel dismissed by your dentist, it may be time to seek care from another medical professional.

Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?

If you live in the Duncan, OK area and are looking for an experienced root canal therapy dentist, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Bridges. Our team at Chisholm Trail Smile Center is equipped at root canal therapy and will make sure you achieve a successful outcome. Please contact our office today online or by calling (580) 255-4880.

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