A root canal, also called root canal treatment, is a procedure we use to save a tooth when its pulp, the soft tissue at its center, is infected. Your tooth comprises narrow passageways extending from the pulp chamber, a hollow space in the center of your tooth, to the ends of the tooth roots. A root canal in our Plano, TX, dental office involves removing decayed or infected tissue from the pulp chamber.
If you experience tooth pain or have holes in your teeth, we will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to remove the diseased pulp. Root canals are part of our general dental care services in Plano, Texas. A root canal helps preserve your oral health.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
You may need root canal treatment if you experience:
- Severe tooth pain: If you’re experiencing persistent or intense pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure on the tooth, it could be a sign of infection or damage to the tooth’s pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When it’s infected or damaged, the pain can be severe and constant. This is a common sign that a root canal may be needed to remove the infection and save the tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold: If you notice sharp, sudden pain or lingering sensitivity when eating or drinking something hot or cold, it may be an indication of nerve damage inside the tooth. The sensitivity can start off mild but worsen over time, especially if the inner pulp is becoming inflamed or infected. This is another warning sign that the tooth’s nerve may need to be treated with a root canal to prevent further damage.
- Swollen or tender gums: Swelling or tenderness in the gums around the affected tooth can be a sign of infection. The infection can spread from the tooth to the surrounding gum tissue, causing swelling, redness, or tenderness. This may also be accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth or pus draining from the area. It’s important to address this issue as it can lead to more serious oral health problems if left untreated.
- Darkening of the tooth: A tooth that has become dark or discolored, especially if it’s turning gray or black, may have damaged nerves or blood vessels. This discoloration often occurs when the pulp inside the tooth dies or is severely infected. A root canal may be necessary to remove the dead tissue and prevent the infection from spreading.
Treating a tooth infection with a root canal early on can prevent the need for more costly or complex treatments. If we cannot save your infected tooth, we may need to perform a tooth extraction. Tooth removal is the last resort. However, we ensure your comfort whether we can save your tooth with a root canal or not.
Root Canal Procedure in Plano, TX
We remove the injured pulp during a root canal treatment and clean and seal the root canal system. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases.
If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed during consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.
We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia if indicated. You can drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
What happens after root canal treatment?
Your dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem occurs, however, we are always available to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.
How much will root canal treatment cost?
The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.
Root Canal Treatment FAQs
Help! My tooth is killing me. Why am I experiencing such pain? What can I do to fix it?
Maybe you’ve been told you need a root canal but have no idea what that means. Not to worry. Root canals are simple, routine procedures that we perform in our offices. We know that dealing with oral issues and tooth discomfort can be stressful.
Below, we will answer frequently asked questions regarding non-surgical root canal treatment in Plano, TX:
Why do I need root canal treatment?
Chances are you’re reading this because you’re experiencing some tooth pain and you’re looking for help with fixing the irritating problem. If the pain is being caused by an infection or inflammation, the tissue in question will need to be removed to stop the infection from spreading and the pain from worsening. This process is called root canal treatment.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Suppose we have not already diagnosed a need for endodontic treatment. In that case, the best way to find out if your toothache warrants a root canal is by scheduling an appointment with us so we can evaluate your situation. In the meantime, symptoms that may indicate a need for a root canal include:
- Discomfort when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Dull ache or severe pain
- Pain that disrupts your sleep
Is there an alternative to getting a root canal?
Extraction is the alternative, but it’s always best to try and save your tooth rather than remove it. Root canal treatment is a common procedure that has an extremely high success rate of over 90%. Removal of your tooth should be your last resort.
Keeping your tooth can help prevent dental troubles, such as bite problems from drifting teeth, difficulty eating, and loss of jawbone mass and structure, down the road. The benefits of root canal therapy versus extraction come down to the fact that no matter how good a teeth replacement option might be, nothing is as good as your natural tooth.
Can I take antibiotics for my dental infection?
Antibiotics help your body’s immune system reduce the number of bacteria present in the tissues surrounding your tooth. However, the infection will persist until the diseased tissue inside your tooth is removed. Antibiotics alone will not reverse your infection. We will recommend professional dental care in addition to at-home care to reverse your tooth decay.
What will happen during the procedure?
Once we’ve numbed the area with a local anesthetic, we isolate the tooth with a little rubber dam and begin to clean the canals through an opening we make in the crown. After the cleaning, we shape the canals and fill them with a filling and sealer. Finally, we place a temporary filling that will eventually be removed by your dentist when he or she provides the final restoration.
Does it hurt to get a root canal?
No. Thanks to modern technology and local anesthetics, our patients rarely feel a thing during a root canal procedure. If you experience any discomfort or sensitivity in the days following treatment, you can manage the pain with over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen. Once you heal from your root canal, you will not feel pain from your infection.
Save Your Natural Tooth
Receive comfortable root canal treatment in our Plano, TX, dental office today. Contact us for a consultation at 972-636-4522. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website.
Please let us know if you have any questions about root canal therapy. We’re here to help you.