Root canal & endodontics in Canton

What Is a Root Canal?

When the soft tissue inside your tooth, known as the pulp, becomes injured, exposed, or infected due to advanced tooth decay, you can experience considerable pain and dysfunction. The solution to this problem is endodontic treatment, also known as root canal therapy. This procedure involves removing the affected pulp from your tooth, providing permanent relief from your symptoms.

The pulp is situated beneath the white enamel and the hard dentin layer, and it contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. During tooth development, this soft tissue aids in growing the root of your tooth. After full development, your tooth can still survive without this pulp since it can be sustained by the surrounding tissues. This procedure is effective, relatively painless, and gets you back to eating and smiling with ease. Since this procedure preserves the natural tooth, you'll experience several advantages, including improved chewing efficiency, normal biting force and sensation, natural appearance, and protection of other teeth from excessive wear or strain.

When Are Root Canals Needed?

Endodontic treatments are typically utilized to save a tooth that has an injury, a deep cavity, or prior filling problems. When the pulp tissue of a tooth is damaged or infected, it's unlikely to repair itself without specialized treatment. Patients often require root canals when they experience sensitivity in their teeth, particularly to hot and cold sensations. These are a few of the symptoms that suggest you might need root canal treatment:

1. Moderate-to-severe tooth pain that doesn't go away
2. Sensitivity to cold, heat, or touch
3. Tooth pain that wakes you up
4. Pain when biting down
5. Deep cavities or tooth discoloration
6. Swelling of the gum tissue around the tooth

What Kind of Dentist Does Root Canals?

Root canals can be performed by a general dentist. However, an endodontist — a specialist with two plus years of additional training — can also provide this treatment. Diagnosing tooth pain and carrying out procedures related to your teeth's insides is the endodontist's area of expertise. They are typically consulted for complicated cases or repeat treatments. If needed, we can connect you with one of our proficient providers. If you are searching for a friendly, gentle dentist for root canals, please contact us today. With the right team in place, you have excellent options when you believe a dental root canal might be necessary for you.

What Is the Procedure for Root Canals?

A basic root canal procedure is typically performed within one to two hours and involves the following steps. First, the root canal dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays before administering a pain-killing medicine to numb the area. Next, a small rubber sheet is placed around the tooth to keep it clean and dry. The dentist opens the tooth with a drill and uses small instruments to widen the canals and clean the pulp chamber and root canals. If you have an abscess, they'll drain it at this stage. The root canals are disinfected and filled with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material, then sealed with adhesive cement. A temporary filling may be used to close the opening until a root canal crown or other restoration can be put in place to fortify the tooth. If needed, a post may be placed inside the tooth to hold the restoration in place. For more information about a specific restoration, consult with your dentist.

How Much Do Root Canals Cost?

Your root canal cost largely depends on the extent of damage to your tooth and the preparation required. Additionally, the number of roots in your tooth determines the cost, with one-root front teeth being less expensive than three-root molars. Furthermore, treatments vary in cost depending on your dentist or endodontist. Dental insurance may partially cover root canals. Our dentists can provide a cost estimate for your treatment after a thorough evaluation. It's helpful to remember that dental root therapy is usually less expensive than extractions, which require subsequent dental visits and can quickly add up in costs.

Dental Root Canal Treatment

While some myths suggest that dental root canal therapy is painful, the truth is that patients remain comfortable throughout the procedure thanks to local anesthesia. In fact, you'll hardly experience any more pain than when getting a cavity filled. Whether there is pain involved or not, these procedures are typically shorter than imagined and provide fast relief. By removing damaged tooth tissue, root canals can easily solve severe toothaches caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Also, they allow you to keep your natural teeth and avoid having to get an artificial replacement. If you're dealing with dental symptoms or tooth pain, don't put your health at risk — get in touch with us today to learn more about root canals.