If a dentist recommends you for a root canal, understand that it will keep you from losing the tooth. Plus, with upgraded techniques, such as the GentleWave root canal procedure that we offer here at Ballantyne Endodontics, you can get a high-tech alternative to traditional root canals that provides the following benefits to patients and practitioners.

Compare GentleWave to a Traditional Root Canal

To fully embrace the differences between the procedures, you need to know what happens during a traditional root canal treatment. An untreated cavity can worsen until the pulp inside the tooth’s root canal becomes infected or inflamed. You may notice discomfort, heat and cold sensitivity, or gum swelling if you have infected pulp in a tooth.

To keep you from losing the tooth, an endodontist must remove the pulp and refill the space. In a traditional root canal treatment, the endodontist will open a space to access the inflamed or infected pulp. They will then use files to clean out and open up the space to allow for a filling made of gutta-percha and an adhesive.

Following the root canal treatment, you will need to return to your dentist to get a crown placed over the tooth. Overall, the procedure (from root canal to crown) may require one to three treatments, each lasting around an hour and a half. 

Less Invasive

Compared to a traditional root canal, the GentleWave root canal procedure requires fewer files to clean inside the tooth. Instead, it uses a combination of sound waves and fluids to get deep into the microscopic spaces inside the tooth. The sound waves help propel the disinfection solution into the hard to reach areas and are able to still preserve the tooth structure. With a deeper clean that doesn’t require as large an opening to access the root canal, the GentleWave makes the process less invasive.

Reduced Number of Appointments

While you may need up to two visits for a traditional root canal treatment, 90% of the time, the GentleWave only requires one. Cutting down on the number of visits you make to the endodontist can save you both money and time.

If you want to spend the least amount of time possible at your appointment but still get your infected tooth treated, ask your endodontist about the GentleWave root canal procedure to cut down on the number of visits you need. Another way to reduce the number of appointments is through getting prompt treatment for your tooth as soon as your dentist recommends a root canal. Waiting can lead to complications that may require more time.

Treatment in Under 10 Minutes

The total time after preparing the patient for the GentleWave root canal procedure is less than minutes. Additionally, the ability to clean out the site thoroughly in only seven minutes means that you can likely get the entire procedure finished in one visit.

When you only need to make one appointment, you will be more likely to have the procedure done sooner. The difficulty of clearing out your schedule for multiple appointments sometimes required of traditional root canals can make putting off the treatment too easy. But, getting your tooth treated as soon as possible makes saving it more likely.

More Patient Comfort

Patients who have the GentleWave root canal procedure report more comfort from the process compared to traditional root canals. Much of this has to do with the fact that the procedures take less than ten minutes.

Faster Recovery

When you get root canal treatment, you will get relief from the pain caused by the infected tooth pulp almost immediately. However, the amount of time you see complete recovery depends on the type of root canal treatment you received. Traditional treatments may require a few days for a full recovery. A follow-up visit will ensure that your tooth is healing properly.

With the GentleWave, healing requires less time in many cases. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, your body does not need as much time to heal itself. As with a traditional root canal, you will still need to have a follow-up visit to ensure that your recovery progresses as expected.

To ensure the speediest recovery after a root canal, always follow the endodontist’s instructions on what you can and cannot eat. Stick to soft foods for a few days to avoid pulling out the temporary filling. Also, keep up with your brushing and flossing routine to maintain the health of your other teeth.

Ask for a Referral to Ballantyne Endodontics for the GentleWave Root Canal Procedure

If you need a root canal, ask your dentist for a referral to us at Ballantyne Endodontics. We are a Charlotte-area endodontics practice that can offer the GentleWave root canal procedure to our patients. With this and other state-of-the-art equipment in our office, we have the means of providing all our patients with the best level of care possible. Contact us today to schedule a visit or get answers to your questions.