Root canals are not the most fun procedures to undergo. However, they are important to understand in order to protect your oral health and hopefully avoid needing a root canal. Root canals are required when a tooth has become badly infected and damaged. A root canal is used with the intention of saving the infected tooth. We at VIP Smiles have several experienced dentists that would be happy to educate you on root canals. Reach out to us for an appointment or to learn more about root canals.
All About Root Canals

To understand root canal therapy, you need to understand a little bit about your teeth. They are made up of a layer of enamel, a layer of a hard material called dentin, and an inner chamber and canals containing the tooth’s pulp or soft tissue. The pulp is made up of blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves. At the bottom of your tooth’s roots, the pulp connects to the surrounding tissue. Your teeth need this pulp to develop correctly, but once they are mature, they can survive without it, getting nourishment from surrounding tissue.
The pulp in any tooth may become inflamed or infected, and you may be a candidate for root canal therapy to save the tooth. Inflammation or infection can happen when dental decay gets deep enough to encounter the tooth’s pulp, after repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or when it is cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged.
Our dentists can help determine if you require root canal therapy for your tooth. Pain that lingers even after hot or cold triggers have been removed, severe pain, and swollen and inflamed gums may be signs of pulp inflammation or infection. If you are experiencing these symptoms, consider reaching out to us at VIP Smiles to get your teeth checked.
Root Canal Therapy Process
If appropriate, during root canal treatment, our experienced dentist will carefully remove all the pulp from your tooth and clean and disinfect the space. They will shape your root canals and fill them and the pulp chamber. Then they will fill or crown your tooth, restoring it to healthy, painless function. And the great news is that with modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable and don’t experience pain during their treatment.
Your root canal therapy will likely be spread out over two or even three appointments, taking about 90 minutes each. Your dentist will need time to remove the pulp entirely and any infected material, clean and sterilize the area, fill the tooth, and fit a crown if required. You will also likely need a follow-up appointment to make sure everything is in place and that your crown or filling aligns correctly with your bite.
Root Canal Treatment Recovery
Your dentist may recommend eating softer foods that are neither too hot nor too cold for a few days until the area is less sensitive after your root canal. The area around the tooth may become swollen. Your dentist may also advise you to avoid chewing for a few hours after your procedure until the numbness from the local anesthetic wears off to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
Contact our Dental Professionals
Root canal therapy is a safe and effective way to save a tooth with infected or inflamed pulp. If left untreated, infection in the pulp of a tooth can travel into the rest of the body and even become life-threatening. The other option, removing the tooth, can cause difficulty eating or speaking normally, and can gradually damage neighboring teeth, gums, and bone.
Call today or schedule a consultation online to be seen by one of our qualified and experienced dentists for root canals in Syracuse, Utah or in the surrounding cities.