ROOT CANAL
A root canal is performed when the tooth is affected by decay or infection. Though many people fear this treatment, it is actually quite comfortable. And, most importantly, it can save your infected tooth! So if you have symptoms of an infected tooth, call Valley Alder today to set up your root canal treatment and protect your smile.
What Is a Root Canal?
The root canal is the part of your tooth that keeps it alive. All the nerves and blood vessels in this area are crucial, but they can become infected. That’s when you need a root canal treatment, often just called a “root canal” itself.
This tooth-saving treatment is used to remove pulp, nerves, bacteria, and decay to restore your tooth’s health. It literally fights the infection at the source.
A root canal allows us to save your natural tooth rather than undergoing a more extensive procedure. For example, an infection that has killed a tooth may require a tooth extraction. So if you have symptoms of tooth decay or infection, call us today! Your smile will thank you.
Symptoms of decay or infection in the tooth may include:
- An abscess on the gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Mild to severe toothache
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Patients may need a root canal due to tooth decay, infections, and a traumatic injury. In each case, we deliver a comfortable procedure that keeps your smile intact.
Should I Get a Root Canal?
Candidates for a root canal procedure may suffer from a range of symptoms. So it isn’t easy to figure out at home if you need a root canal or another procedure. That is why we recommend visiting us as soon as you start noticing symptoms.
Dr. Patel will meet with you one-on-one for a comprehensive consultation to identify the cause of your symptoms. During your visit, Dr. Patel will perform a thorough oral exam to assess your oral health and what treatments might be best.
Dr. Patel may also perform an X-ray examination to further evaluate any signs or symptoms. If you need a root canal procedure, we will start creating a customized treatment plan based on the symptoms found. Dr. Patel will then discuss all pre- and post-procedure instructions with the patient and answer any questions they may have during this appointment.
Root Canal Treatment Process
A root canal treatment can be completed in one or more appointments, depending on your situation. We begin the treatment by numbing the tooth and placing a dental dam around the tooth to keep the area dry. The dentist will create an opening to remove the pulp or decay from the tooth. Once the tooth is cleaned, the permanent filling will be placed. In some cases, patients may require more appointments, and a temporary filling will be placed.
During the next appointment, we fill and seal the tooth. A dental crown (cap) will be then placed over the top of the tooth to restore the tooth’s functionality. Patients may experience tooth sensitivity and mild inflammation after the treatment. However, you can easily manage these with proper medication. Symptoms will subside once the tooth has healed.
Emergency Dental Appointment
Aftercare
Before any procedure at Valley Alder Family Dentistry, Dr. Patel will spend time with you reviewing all pre- and post-treatment instructions. After a root canal, you might experience tooth sensitivity. But this is entirely normal and not a cause of concern.
Dr. Patel recommends patients avoid solid foods following the procedure. Eating such food may increase any irritation or inflammation around the treated site. But don’t worry; all symptoms will subside within a few days of the procedure. And then you can get back to your normal eating habits and enjoy your smile once again.
Dr. Patel may also schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor the healing process. Patients can maintain root canal results by brushing, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash daily. If you have any questions at any point, do not hesitate to contact us. We will gladly provide any answers or information you need to have a comfortable and successful experience.
Benefits
A root canal’s main purpose is to save the natural tooth from tooth decay. In other words, it keeps your smile intact and your teeth healthy. Other benefits of a root canal procedure are:
- Preventing the loss of the tooth
- Removing any infection, tooth decay, or damage from the tooth
- Preserving the natural tooth
- Addressing chronic pain, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation
- Eliminating the need for a simple tooth extraction
Preserving the health of the surrounding teeth
If you put off having a root canal, it can lead to several greater issues. These range from losing your tooth to the infection spreading to other teeth. In every case, the sooner you receive your root canal, the better. You have a higher chance of saving your tooth and keeping your smile intact.
How Much Will A Root Canal Cost?
Each patient’s root canal cost will vary based on the severity of the symptoms and the dentist’s expertise. A root canal, in general, is less expensive than tooth removal and replacement procedure. So by receiving timely treatment, you will save yourself money in the future. We provide each patient with an estimate once we know what your situation is and what it will take to treat it. You won’t be in the dark about the cost at any point in your treatment. And no hidden charges or surprises!
Valley Alder Family Dentistry accepts cash, money orders, and major credit cards. For extensive dental care, financial arrangements can be made with our office. Valley Alder Family Dentistry also accepts CareCredit.
Schedule Root Canal At Valley Alder Family Dentistry
Dr. Patel and his staff of dental professionals offer state-of-the-art dental treatments for patients. Dr. Patel utilizes only the most advanced dental technology and techniques for each dental procedure, including root canals. Schedule your consultation appointment at Valley Alder Family Dentistry today. Take the first step toward saving your tooth with a root canal and keeping your smile bright!
Frequently Asked Questions
The majority of patients do not experience pain during root canal therapy, as it is always performed under local anesthesia. Modern local anesthetics are extremely effective at numbing the area and completely blocking any sensations at the procedure site. Additionally, the anesthetic dose can be adjusted during the procedure as needed. You might experience slight discomfort when the anesthetic is injected, but it lasts only a couple of seconds.
Once the anesthetic wears off after the procedure, you might feel slight soreness and tooth sensitivity for a couple of days, especially if the infection was extensive. However, these symptoms typically subside within a week.
A root canal procedure typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes. The total time depends on the tooth’s location, the extent of decay or damage, and the number of canals. Root canal therapy on the previously treated tooth can take longer due to the existing filling materials.
Root canal therapy is an effective way to save severely infected teeth (when the infection reaches the inner pulp) or cracked teeth. However, when the infection destroys most of the tooth’s structure or it is broken at the gumline, the tooth cannot be saved with a root canal and is typically extracted instead.
The success rate of root canal therapy ranges between 85 to 97%, with the treated tooth surviving for around 10 years after the procedure. The chances of tooth survival increase when a dental crown is placed on the tooth after a root canal.
Recovery after root canal therapy typically takes 5 to 7 days. During this period, you are likely to experience slight soreness and swelling at the procedure site, as well as tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. Soreness and sensitivity can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, and swelling can be reduced with cold compresses. During your recovery, you should switch to soft foods, avoid chewing on the procedure side of your mouth, and abstain from strenuous physical activity, alcohol, and smoking.
Unfortunately, severe tooth decay and infection can not go away on their own or be treated with antibiotics or dental fillings. In severe situations, root canal therapy the most effective treatment option.
In cases when an infected or damaged tooth can not be treated with a root canal because the tooth’s structure is severely damaged, your doctor is likely to recommend tooth extraction and subsequent replacement with a bridge or a dental implant. Additionally, tooth extraction can be performed in cases when the patient opts out of root canal therapy due to personal preferences or financial considerations.
When the tooth’s pulp is exposed but not heavily infected, your doctor might offer pulp capping, pulpotomy, or biomimetic dentistry procedures to remove the infection but preserve as much of the tooth’s healthy structure as possible.
We do offer same-day emergency root canal treatments. If you experience a severe toothache, do not hesitate to contact our office at (909) 328-6787; we will do our best to see you the same day.
Most insurance plans typically cover root canal therapy. The amount of coverage can vary by plan and usually ranges from 50% to 80%. We recommend contacting your insurance provider and our office before the procedure to ensure that your plan will cover your root canal.
