Root Canal Therapy is Nothing to Fear!

Are you currently suffering a toothache or have been told you need root canal therapy? Many people have a negative reaction to the words “root canal” but the truth is that root canal treatments save teeth.

Many teeth that would have had to be extracted in years past can now be restored and used indefinitely, thanks to root canals. We imagine this treatment has a bad reputation because, before the advent of effective anesthetics, a root canal meant prolonged sensitivity during the treatment. Today, however, a root canal therapy should cause patients no notable sensitivity.

Root canal therapy does take a wee bit longer to complete than simple fillings do, and they usually require two dental appointments. Most patients, however, find the procedure entirely worth it, as it restores and repairs a damaged tooth. No one wants to lose teeth if they don’t have to; root canals help you keep your smile intact!

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is needed when the inside of a tooth has been compromised by either a deep cavity or a crack or break. We think of our teeth as hard, impenetrable objects, but the inside of a tooth is alive with blood vessels, soft tissues, and nerve endings. When bacteria are able to reach the inner, living portion of the tooth, this leaves you vulnerable to infections that can make your whole body sick (and destroy your tooth).

A root canal therapy cleans and fills the inner chambers of the tooth, and then seals it up tight, so bacteria will not be able to destroy the tooth or threaten your health. Once a root canal is finished, the tooth should feel and function normally. Without a root canal, the only option for a tooth with a compromised pulp chamber is extraction (removal). Nobody wants to lose a tooth if they don’t have to, so we love root canals at Value Smiles.

What Happens During a Root Canal Therapy?

When you come to Value Smiles, one of our caring doctors will examine your tooth and take x-rays to see the extent of the damage. If a root canal is needed, the treatment will always start with the administration of effective anesthetics, to ensure you feel no unpleasant sensations during your time in the chair. We have a strong no-pain policy, so we don’t get started until we are certain your nerve has been adequately blocked.

During the procedure, we will thoroughly clean all the inner surfaces of the tooth of decay and bacteria, including the roots and the many canals that branch off outward from the roots. These many canals are very small, so the work is very precise—and that’s what takes the most time. When we are confident the tooth has been adequately prepared, you will be sent home. At the second appointment, we will fill the tooth with a rubbery substance called gutta percha, and then finish the procedure with either a filling or a dental crown.

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy can be performed on any tooth, but molars (the flat, ridged teeth in the back of the mouth) are the ones that most often require root canals.

• Shooting pain in one area of the mouth
• A toothache that comes and goes
• Pain deep in a tooth when you bite down
• A deep cavity that you can see as a black spot on the tooth
• A broken tooth that is sensitive
• A crack you can feel with your tongue, accompanied by sensitivity

Value Smiles Has You Covered!

At Value Smiles, we know dental insurance is not easy to get and sometimes coverage is extremely limited. We offer a Smile Value Plan for our uncovered patients that can reduce the cost of dental work up to 40 percent. We also offer a number of monthly specials on common procedures to help you get the dental care you deserve.

At Value Smiles, we are proud to be your affordable Lithia Springs and Douglasville GA dentist. Contact us online or call us at 678-737-4245 to find out how we can help you smile again.