Root Canal Therapy
One of the most common procedures done by endodontists is root canal therapy. At Apex Endodontics, we use the latest technological innovations in our field to improve the way we treat root canals. Using this equipment is one part of our pillars of service — comfort, precision, and technology.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a non-surgical treatment method that prevents tooth loss by removing the infected or inflamed pulp. This treatment method can stop the infection from spreading to the bone around your teeth, which can cause severe pain and sometimes lead to tooth extraction. After having root canal therapy, the discomfort and pain that you felt from the infection in your tooth will disappear as you heal.
Do I Really Need Root Canal Therapy?
A dentist will typically recommend root canal therapy if the interior of your tooth has become infected from bacteria entering through an untreated cavity or a crack. In many cases, the only alternative you may have to root canal therapy is tooth extraction. Tooth extraction can be a viable treatment option to eliminate the infection from a tooth. Sometimes after an extraction, the neighboring teeth can move or shift. Replacement of a tooth after extraction with an implant or bridge can help to prevent movement of teeth. The average cost of an extraction and tooth replacement with an implant is approximately $4,000-$6,000 in total.
If your dentist recommends root canal therapy, this treatment likely serves as the only way to preserve your natural tooth.
Is the Procedure Painful?
During root canal therapy, patients should feel completely numb. Innovations in endodontics allow for smaller openings in teeth, better imaging of the areas, and more thorough cleaning of the canals. After the procedure, most patients feel minor discomfort that they can ease with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
During root canal therapy, your endodontist will numb the area around the treated tooth and prepare the area to prevent contamination of the tooth and nearby tissues. With this local anesthesia, you should not feel anything during the procedure and up to a few hours after.
Next, the endodontist will open the tooth to clean out the infection and inflamed tissue from the canals. At Apex Endodontics, we use advanced technology, such as the GentleWave Procedure and the Waterlase iPlus, to achieve a more thorough cleaning of the canals inside your tooth.
After cleaning the inside of the tooth, the doctor seals the tooth to prevent recontamination. Patients will often need to make an appointment with their dentist to have a permanent crown placed to ensure the protection of the tooth.
Root canal therapy has a high success rate. If you need this treatment option, you will likely see long-lasting results.
Come See Us at Apex Endodontics When Your Dentist Recommends Root Canal Therapy
If your dentist recommends root canal therapy, call us at Apex Endodontics or connect with us online. With our technology and highly qualified team, we can provide you with the comfort, precision, and technology that make a difference in your treatment outcome. Come see the difference that Apex Endodontics makes for all our patients by scheduling your visit with us.