Root Canal Therapy
My experience with Legacy Dental was great so fare. It is my second year having relationship with this office.
- Nadezda Redd
5.0
When it comes to dreaded dental treatments, root canals may be the most feared. While hearing you need a root canal sounds frightening, the good news is that this treatment can actually relieve toothache and dental sensitivity. Best of all, root canal therapy allows our team to save a tooth we may otherwise need to extract. At Legacy Dental SA, we offer patients a wide range of restorative dentistry services to repair dental damage and renew, healthy functional smiles. If you’ve experienced dental damage or decay or you’re suffering from a severe toothache, call our North Central San Antonio dentistry team to schedule an appointment with us today. We look forward to partnering with you to renew oral health and keep your smile whole and healthy.
What is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is a restorative dentistry procedure where damaged, decayed, or infected tissue is extracted from the inside of the tooth. The very inner layer of each tooth is a soft substance referred to as pulp. The nerve system is housed within the pulp, so when dental decay or damage accesses this part of the tooth, the result is serious pain and dental sensitivity.
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What are the Warning Signs that I May Need a Root Canal?
We treat many patients in need of root canal therapy as emergencies, so it’s important for people to know what warning signs to look for. Some of the common signals that you need a root canal include:
- Severe toothache that causes sharp pain or dull throbbing ache
- Sensitivity to changes in temperature that lingers for several seconds
- Darkening of the tooth, especially near the gum line
- Swelling, infection, or sores in the soft tissue around an individual tooth
How are Root Canals Performed?
Root canals begin with our team numbing the area around your damaged tooth to ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure. Then, a small access hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the pulp. Specialized tools are used to extract pulp and nerve tissue and completely debride the inside of the tooth. At this point, we may recommend the application of topical antibiotic ointment to ensure complete success and removal of all infected tissue. Once the tooth is free of all decay and infection, we refill it with a biocompatible substance. The access hole is resealed. Finally, a dental crown is placed to protect and strengthen the treated tooth.
What Happens After Root Canal Therapy?
Following your treatment visit, you will likely notice immediately diminished toothache pain and sensitivity. For the first few days after treatment, you may also experience some mild swelling or tenderness in the soft tissue around your tooth. Once your final dental crown is in place, you should be able to go back to your regular daily routine eating all of your favorite foods, brushing teeth, and flossing as usual. If you notice increased pain or return of temperature sensitivity after your root canal, let our team know immediately. In some cases, we’re still able to save the tooth with further treatments.
Root Canal FAQs
Going into a procedure that you haven’t had before can be daunting, but we want you to feel comfortable knowing that you’ll get the high-quality, efficient, and virtually pain-free care that you deserve at Legacy Dental SA. In fact, most patients are able to go back to work and their daily lives the following day! We’ve compiled some common questions that we get from our patients before they get a root canal in North Central San Antonio below.
Patients are always concerned about the pain associated with root canals because that’s usually all they hear about from other people. This procedure has an undeserved reputation of causing discomfort instead of relieving. After the infected pulp of your tooth is removed, you’ll be happy to feel significantly better than before, plus, you’ll be able to return to your daily life the following day! Also, your dentist in North Central San Antonio utilizes some of the most advanced technology and treatment techniques, allowing for a virtually pain-free procedure.
Depending on your dentist and the severity of your infection, your root canal could take anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes. After your tooth is cleaned and the damaged pulp is removed, you’ll need to return to have your crown attached. These restorations are custom crafted by an outside dental lab, meaning that it’ll take two appointments before your tooth’s function and strength will be fully restored.
This is a common question that we receive from patients. The cost of the procedure depends on the complexity and severity of your issue. If you have dental insurance, they may cover a portion of the cost, so be sure to contact them before you schedule your procedure with us. We will also be more than happy to help you! Keep in mind that other factors go into the cost as well, such as your deductible or yearly maximum.
After your root canal, you can expect to feel a bit of sensitivity and tenderness around your damaged tooth. Be sure to wait to eat until your mouth is no longer numb and avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth. Even though it may be tender, be sure to keep brushing and flossing gently to help prevent infection and bacteria buildup.
You can keep an eye out for a root canal infection by watching for severe pain that lasts longer than a few days, visible swelling, and your original symptoms returning. If you notice any out-of-the-ordinary discomfort, be sure to contact us immediately so Dr. Eck can prevent any further damage.
At Legacy Dental SA, we use the latest techniques and technology in the dental field. Root canal therapy is a highly successful treatment that boasts more than a 95% success rate. Most teeth that are repaired by a root canal can last a lifetime when they’re properly cared for. Plus, because your smile will be restored with a crown, you won’t have to worry about sacrificing your pleasing smile for your oral health!
