Dr. Paul Corcoran is the oldest of seven children and grew up in Rockville, Maryland. He received his college and dental degrees from the University of Maryland and received Advanced Training in General Dentistry at UCLA Dental School. Dr. Corcoran practiced in Vail for over 40 years but has now opened a dental practice in Eagle, Colorado.
Dr. Corcoran is very focused on serving patients. In addition to taking care of his dental patients in Eagle and Gypsum, he does charity Dentistry at the Mountain Family Health Center in Glenwood Springs. He and his wife, Jean enjoy exercise, reading, and donating to charity.
For those who have a highly diseased tooth, root canal treatment is an effective way to save it. This common dental procedure removes infected pulp from the inside of the root of the affected tooth. The canal is cleaned, filled, and sealed to prevent infection or damage. The tooth is often restored after the root canal treatment so that it can return to full function and normal appearance. If Dr.Corcoran has recommended a root canal, you may have a few questions.
Dental pulp is found in a tooths pulp chamber. Pulp is found just under the dentin layer beneath the enamel. The shape of a tooths pulp chamber determines the size of a tooth. Pulp is a soft substance composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends out into the root canal of the tooth.
There can be several reasons why the pulp of a tooth needs to be removed during root canal treatment. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can begin to decay and deteriorate. Over time, this can cause infection and other complications. To restore the tooths health, your Eagle, CO dentist will need to drill out and remove all the pulp in the tooth.
Pulp can become inflamed, irritated, or infected because of deep decay, large fillings, trauma to the face, a cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the tooth. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause a lot of pain. If left untreated, it can worsen and affect the whole tooth or other surrounding teeth. Early root canal treatment can relieve pain, prevent further damage, and save the natural tooth.
Sometimes, the signs you need a root canal are obvious. You may suffer from a severe toothache, or notice a cavity. Other times, it takes the eye of an experienced dentist like Dr. Corcoran to determine that root canal treatment is needed. Dr. Paul Corcoran can often spot the sign of problems before it escalates. For most people, physical symptoms are not too bad until the problem becomes more advanced. Here are some of the signs that indicate you may need root canal therapy:
Root canal therapy can require more than one visit. Dr. Corcoran will remove the affected tissue or pulp from the tooth. Then, the inside of the tooth is cleaned. Once it is cleaned it will be filled with a dental composite and then sealed. If the tooth had a lot of decay, he may recommend a crown to strengthen it and prevent it from breaking.
Each individual has their own level of pain tolerance. For most root canals, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the tooth being treated. The area should continue to be numb for several hours after the procedure. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, other types of sedation dentistry may be offered. Minimal sedation to take the edge off may help some patients relax even though they will still be awake for the procedure. In some instances, an oral sedative is given prior to the procedure. Dr. Corcoran will gladly discuss your need for anesthetics.
The tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days after a root canal treatment, especially if it was infected before the dental procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually enough to manage the discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the day following treatment. You may notice the tooth feeling a bit different from your other teeth for a few days. Contact Dr. Corcoran if you experience any of these symptoms:
Root canals have a huge success record and with proper dental hygiene, they should provide results that last your lifetime. D. rPaul Corcoran places a crown on a tooth following the root canal treatment that will provide extra strength and durability for the tooth.