Root Canals
A root canal impacts the soft center of pulp in your tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. It is a dental procedure to treat an infection in that part of your tooth.
When this center part becomes infected through a cracked or chipped tooth or cavity, you require a root canal to treat it to ensure that you do not lose the tooth or risk the infection spreading.
Will I Need a Root Canal?
Only a dentist can diagnose if you have an infection in your tooth’s root canal. But there are some symptoms that may indicate you have such an infection:
- Serious tooth pain when eating or applying pressure to the area
- Tooth pain and heightened sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Tenderness or swelling in the gums near the area of pain
- A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the area of tooth pain
- Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
No matter the cause or necessary treatment, all of these symptoms are reasons to visit the dentist. Do not wait for the pain to get worse or for signs that the infection has spread, as this will cause more serious discomfort and tissue damage.
Root Canal Costs
Indicative US rate: $1,100 – Starts at $290 at Allo Dental
- 40-70% savings on dental treatments compared to the USA
Our concierge service assists you in planning your trip from A-Z
- You’ll meet your doctor before, during and after your treatment
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Recovering from a Root Canal
After having a root canal procedure, expect some mild pain and discomfort for no longer than three days. You should be able to manage the pain with over-the-counter pain relief medication. Your dentist may offer you other suggestions too.
Be sure to keep the site clean and avoid chewing with that tooth until all tenderness is gone.
Root Canal FAQ
Overall, a root canal endodontics treatment is extremely effective for saving damaged teeth by removing any infection that may be there. This single treatment makes it possible for millions of teeth to be saved on an annual basis and once it is completed, eating and drinking becomes easy again. Root canals are synonymous with pain relief.
A root canal/endodontic procedure works by creating a small hole in the tooth so that infected pulp can be removed, which eliminates the discomfort felt by the patient.
Once done, we will refill the tooth with a biocompatible material that restores the strength of the tooth. A filling or crown is used in order to further strengthen and protect the damaged tooth.
There are times in which the endodontic procedure is recommended to patients who are receiving extensive dental work; the doctor can foresee the need for the tooth to be desensitized to avoid any issues in the future.
When a tooth becomes infected, that infection can spread into the center of the tooth (the dental pulp). Inside of the dental pulp are the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. All of the sensitive areas of the tooth are contained here. When this area becomes infected it can be incredibly painful, requiring immediate treatment. We can perform a root canal quickly and painlessly to make sure you’re back to feeling like your old self no short time.
Use good oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash daily and having regular dental check ups.
If you ever experience a crack or chip in your tooth, see your dentist right away about fixing it so that bacteria cannot get inside of your tooth and cause an infection.
If your dentist finds infection in your tooth, it needs to be treated. It may not hurt now, but it might later or it might spread and cause further damage.
You will be under local anesthesia during the procedure so you should not feel pain. Most people find it’s no worse than having a cavity filled.
Root Canal as a Treatment
There aren’t really any good alternative treatments when it comes to root canals. You could have the infected tooth pulled, but most people prefer to keep their teeth intact. Ozone gas and calcium hydroxide have been used to kill tooth infections, but are not guaranteed methods. They also do not allow for filling the tooth.
Most dentists will choose the tried and true root canal procedure. You will be put under local anesthesia to prevent pain, and your dentist will drill a hole in your tooth through which to remove the damaged pulp tissue. With the infection gone, your dentist will use a temporary filling and seal the hole until a crown can be made. Finally, a crown or permanent filling will be made to cover and protect your tooth at a later visit.
Benefits of a Root Canal
Most people who require a root canal find themselves suffering from pain and discomfort due to the infected tooth. The best way to treat that pain is by cleaning out the infection and repairing the tooth with a root canal.
If left untreated, you would likely eventually lose the tooth. A missing tooth is unattractive, but it also makes chewing and talking difficult and allows other teeth to shift out of place. The infection could also spread, causing further dental discomfort and illness.
Get Treatment Estimate
Before stepping foot in our dental office, we provide you with with you for a preliminary treatment estimate.
It’s 100% free, and with no commitment.