Endodontist Root Canal Treatment
Endodontic treatment, commonly known as a root canal, is a way to save an infected tooth. A dentist that does root canals removes infected tissue from the tooth, refills it, and seals it. The root canal treatment removes the infection and prevents future infection in the tooth. Many patients experience pain relief immediately after the treatment and resume normal daily activities shortly afterward.
Root canal treatment involves the removal of all decayed or infected tissue inside a tooth. Though the blood vessels and nerves inside your teeth are important, they aren’t necessary for your tooth to function normally. Root canals as dental treatment may be the best option to avoid tooth extraction.
How Painful is a Root Canal?
You should experience little to no pain because the dentist that does root canals uses local anesthesia to numb the area.
How Long Does a Root Canal Last?
Root canals can last a lifetime with proper oral care.
Is it Better to Pull a Tooth or Get a Root Canal?
Dentists prefer root canal treatment because there are usually no complications. Extractions can involve more pain and longer healing processes.
What are the Disadvantages of a Root Canal?
Though root canal treatment remains the preferred method because it saves your natural tooth, it can leave the tooth weaker and susceptible to further decay.
Do They Put You to Sleep for a Root Canal?
It’s best to speak with your dentist, but you don’t necessarily need to be sedated for a root canal.
Tooth pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth and it contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues that reach the roots. The pulp handles three primary functions:
- Sensory function in response to hot and cold
- Formation of dentin (the hard secondary layer)
- Nourish the tooth via blood vessels
Pulp does much for your tooth, however, it is not necessary to keep the tooth alive. Surrounding tissues can support the tooth even without the pulp.
What Happens to the Tooth Pulp During a Root Canal?
During a root canal, your dentist removes all of the diseased pulp and cleans the interior to remove all bacteria and infection. Once the space is clear, the dentist fills the hole with a material called gutta-percha and tops it off with a temporary filling. A few weeks later, your dentist removes the filling, makes sure there’s no sign of bacteria or infection, and applies a permanent crown if necessary.
Even though infection is usually the first sign, you may not have any noticeable symptoms. Your dentist may discover the damage during a routine follow-up. However, you may notice some symptoms of diseased pulp:
- Prolonged or increased sensitivity to heat, cold, or pressure
- Discoloration of the tooth or a large cavity
- A foul taste in your mouth, even after you brush
- Pus that drains into your mouth
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Root Canal?
Unfortunately, the bacteria and infection can spread to other parts of your mouth. You can even develop a dental abscess that would require emergency intervention.
Root canal treatment can cost between $500 and $1700 depending on the affected tooth and degree of damage. We offer affordable root canal treatment with our Dental Savings Plan and flexible financing options.
At Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics, we provide the highest quality dental care for patients of all ages. We take pride in our welcoming, modern, state-of-the-art facilities featuring coffee bars. Our youngest patients can enjoy unique, kid-friendly play and treatment areas to make them more comfortable.
Our dental teams provide thorough, professional exams to ensure that you always receive the care you need to have comfortable, hassle-free dental experiences. We handle dental emergencies, and you can trust us to answer all questions thoroughly using the language of your choice. Our team will even teach you how to keep your mouth healthy for years to come.
