Root Canal & Endodontics in Blackwood

Can You Tell Me About Root Canals?

A root canal is a commonly performed surgery that is also known as endodontic treatment. During the procedure, your dentist will remove the soft pulp tissue that is located within your tooth. This is done when the pulp becomes infected, exposed, or injured due to extensive tooth decay issues. While surgery may sound daunting, it will permanently relieve any pain that you have been feeling in your tooth or teeth while ensuring that your oral health remains on track.

How Do I Know If I Need a Root Canal Procedure?

If the soft pulp tissue in your tooth has become damaged or infected, it will most likely not be able to heal itself. This is why a dental root canal is the most commonly prescribed treatment option for this issue. There are a number of symptoms that you may experience if you need this dental surgery and they include:

• Feeling pain when biting down
• Swelling of the gums around the tooth
• Moderate to severe tooth pain that won’t go away
• Tooth is sensitive to touch, heat or cold
• Severe cavities or discoloration of the tooth
• Waking up at night with severe tooth pain

If you’ve had any of the above symptoms, call our office today to book an appointment with one of our dentists.

Should I See a Root Canal Dentist?

In simple cases, your regular dentist will be able to perform your root canal. If your case is a particularly severe one, you may need to consult with an endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who has specialized in treating issues surrounding the pulp inside of your teeth. If you’ve been looking for a skilled dentist who can perform root canals, call us today. We will get you in to see a dentist as soon as possible.

What Should I Expect During Dental Root Canal Treatment?

In most cases, you should expect your procedure to take between one or two hours. Your dentist will perform the following steps during your surgery.

1. A local anesthetic will be given to you so that you won’t feel anything during the procedure.
2. Your dentist will place a small shield around the tooth. This isolates the tooth and keeps the surrounding area clean.
3. The dentist will make an opening into the crown of the tooth so that the pulp chamber can be easily accessed.
4. Instruments are used to remove the pulp, clean out the root canals, and shape the root canals.
5. Fluid to disinfect and remove debris from the root canals will be placed into the exposed root canals.
6. Gutta-percha, a rubbery substance, will be used to fill the canals, and after the canals will be sealed.
7. Your dentist will cap the tooth with a root canal crown so that your tooth will not be as likely to fracture.

More complicated cases may require a longer treatment period that involves more steps.

How Much Will My Root Canal Cost?

The amount charged for root canals will depend on the damage done to the tooth, as this determines what kind of treatment will be needed to prepare the tooth for the procedure. The number of roots that exist within the tooth will also play a part in how much you will pay. For example, molars have four roots while front teeth have only one. If you need treatment for one of your molars, it will be more expensive than treatment on one of your front teeth. Your total will also be impacted by whether you are seeing your regular dentist or an endodontist. Contact your dental insurance provider to determine how much of your treatment will be covered by your policy. Our dentists are also able to give you a detailed estimate as to how much your surgery will cost.

Are There Different Kinds of Root Canals?

Dentists usually perform standard root canals on molars. However, this surgical procedure can be done on any of your teeth. This even includes front teeth! There are alternatives to standard root canals. One of these alternatives is called an apicoectomy. Another is called a pediatric pulpotomy. An apicoectomy consists of the tip of a root being removed from the tooth after a previous treatment has not been successful. A pediatric pulpotomy is where the diseased pulp is removed from the tooth while leaving the nerves intact.

How Painful Are Root Canals?

Many of our patients are worried that their root canal therapy will be painful. Due to our use of local anesthetics, you can rest assured that you won’t be able to feel a thing during the surgery. If needed, our dentist will also prescribe pain medication to help you manage any pain you may feel afterwards. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, call us right away. We’ll have you feeling better again in no time at all.