A root canal is a procedure used to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. During a root canal, the damaged nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without a root canal, the tooth and surrounding tissues could become infected and abscesses may form.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. This treatment involves removing the damaged area of the tooth and filling it with a special material, which prevents bacteria from reentering the tooth. After this procedure is complete, your tooth will once again be protected against further damage or decay. Thanks to advances in dentistry, most patients report that the procedure is no more painful than filling a cavity. With some anesthetics and sedation options, your dentist will be able to ensure your procedure is as painless as possible.

It is important to keep up with regular checkups so your dentist can spot signs of infection before they spread and cause serious damage to your teeth. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain or discomfort, contact our office to make an appointment right away. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess and require serious medical attention before it can be treated.

At your appointment, the dentist will first numb the area before administering a local anesthetic. Once you are sufficiently numbed, your dentist will begin your procedure by removing the nerve tissue and pulp of the affected tooth. Next, the hollow area is filled with a material called gutta percha to prevent future infections and pain. Finally, a temporary crown will be placed over the treated tooth until a permanent one can be fabricated. This process usually takes two appointments to complete. After your second appointment, you will need to return to our office to have the crown placed. In most cases, a crown will last about ten years or longer with proper care.

If you are worried about the cost of a root canal, we understand. Fortunately, there are many payment options available to help you pay for this treatment. Don’t let fear of cost keep you from getting the treatment you need! We are happy to discuss the different payment options available to you so you can get the care you deserve.

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Is a root canal painful?

Many people feel anxious about getting a root canal, especially if they’ve heard the procedure can be very painful. However, the pain experienced with a root canal is nowhere near as intense as the pain of an infected tooth and is far more manageable than patients imagine it to be. For many patients, the most unpleasant part of a root canal is actually the numbing process. But the actual procedure itself should be fairly painless. Your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb your mouth before performing your root canal treatment. In some cases, your dentist may prescribe medication to help you relax as well. Once your procedure is over, you may experience some soreness for a few days, but over-the-counter pain medication should minimize that discomfort.

Is a root canal necessary?

When a dentist determines that a tooth is severely decayed, they will likely recommend a root canal treatment as the next step toward saving the tooth. While endodontic treatments have a reputation for being painful and uncomfortable, advancements in technology have made the procedure easier and more tolerable than ever before. Root canal therapy is often the only way to save an infected tooth from extraction.

Patients are often concerned about the cost of root canal therapy because the procedure does involve more than one office visit. However, keep in mind that if the infected tooth is not treated, it will need to be extracted, which is more expensive in the long run. Additionally, the restoration cost to replace the missing tooth is also higher when the replacement is a dental implant than when it is a natural tooth.

A root canal procedure is typically completed in one appointment. During the procedure, patients can expect to be numbed so that they will feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure. We will remove the nerve of the tooth and clean the area thoroughly. Once the area is disinfected, we will seal up the canals with a material called gutta-percha. After a root canal procedure, patients should expect some sensitivity in the gums around the where the tooth was located. This discomfort usually subsides within a few days. Antibiotics are usually prescribed as well to prevent infection from occurring.

Most dentists will recommend that patients receive some form of restorative dental treatment following the completion of a root canal. The tooth often becomes weak and brittle after the removal of the nerves and blood supply to the tooth, which is why a dental crown or implant is usually recommended to strengthen the tooth and preserve its integrity.

Some patients who believe that they are experiencing symptoms of a tooth infection and need a root canal are mistaken. It is very important to seek prompt dental care if you are experiencing any pain in your mouth, but in many cases