ADA Accessibility Information
Accessibility

A
A

A
Mike Regan, DMD Logo

background image art3
Welcome Dental Procedures Root Canal
Following the announcement from the Oregon Health Authority, as of April 3, 2023, we will no longer require face masks in the office. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, Dr. Regan is happy to provide one. We are excited to see your smiling faces!



Root Canal Milwaukie OR


Photograph depicting a model of a root canal from Michael Regan, DMD Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Milwaukie, ORTelling a patient that a root canal procedure is needed is often met with dread. These feelings should never hold you back from treatment; the reality is if a root canal is needed, the infection is already present. We can provide you with medication to reduce discomfort, remove the infection, and then restore the tooth. Our team at Mike Regan, DMD can help you have a healthier smile.

Why do I need a root canal?


Root canal therapy is a treatment we provide when the inner portion of the tooth has become infected. The inner portion, or pulp, of the tooth becomes infected when bacteria has found its way inside. This can be due to:

•  Decay: Decay causing bacteria will feed on the sugars found in food debris and plaque. As the bacteria feeds it then emits an acid that eats away at the enamel causing a cavity or hole in a tooth. If the cavity is not cleaned out and sealed, then the bacteria will continue its passage further into the tooth until it finds the pulp, where it will continue its passage and infect the pulp.

•  Cracks or Fractures: Bacteria doesn’t necessarily need to wait until a cavity is formed to gain entrance into your tooth. Sometimes bacteria can find quicker passage through a crack or fracture in the enamel. You may not even be aware of the crack, our teeth can have tiny hairline cracks that are difficult to see but still large enough for bacteria to enter.

•  Previous Restoration: When a patient has a dental filling placed, we do our best to pack the cavity or space with filling material. Occasionally, tiny spaces can still be found. A tooth that has had a dental restoration previously performed may still have room between the tooth and restoration for bacteria to slip through.

•  Infection in a Neighboring Tooth: Though our teeth are separate, there are tiny branches that connect the teeth in the root. A tooth may have had an infection that was treated, but the bacteria made its way through a tiny branch and has now infected the neighboring tooth.

How is the infection removed?


To remove the infection, we need to perform a root canal therapy treatment. We begin with ensuring that the patient is comfortable. A root canal procedure itself is not painful, but the infection that is raging inside the tooth is, and as it is exposed to air, it can cause the patient pain. We will apply a local anesthetic and can discuss various conscious sedation options as needed, you don’t have to be in pain. Once the patient is comfortable, we then open the enamel to see inside the tooth. We clean out the infection by removing the inner pulp, the tooth nerve and connective tissue. This pulp material was needed to grow the tooth but once the tooth is fully grown, it no longer is.

We remove the infected material and then wash the tooth with an antibacterial wash. The tooth is then filled with a material that should assist the inner portion of the tooth to remain healthy and infection free. Sometimes, bacteria has traveled through the tiny branches of the root canal, and though we do our best, bacteria can be missed.

With the tooth cleaned and filled, we can then close the enamel with a filling material. Oftentimes, we will place a temporary crown over the tooth and recommend that a permanent dental crown be ordered. Your new crown should be ready in about two weeks. With the new crown, we can remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent crown in place.

Your new crown provides a layer of strength to the tooth that will help keep it healthy and functional longer. With the crown placed, you can now resume full function of the tooth, chewing your favorite foods.
Logo for Michael Regan, DMD Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry


Phone


503-654-8283

Hours


Mon - Thu: 7:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Copyright © 2012-2024 Mike Regan, DMD and WEO Media (Touchpoint Communications LLC). All rights reserved.  Sitemap
Root Canal - Dentist Milwaukie OR | Mike Regan, DMD
If you're struggling with a troubled tooth, Mike Regan, DMD offers root canals and a myriad of other procedures and dental services to help, right here in Milwaukie.
Mike Regan, DMD, 6969 SE Lake Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97267 / 503-654-8283 / drmikeregan.com / 10/23/2024 / Related Terms: Dentist Milwaukie OR /