Root Canals in Louisville, CO
At The Dentist in Louisville, we want you to understand root canal treatment better because it is a common dental procedure that can do a lot of good. Relieving pain and removing infection inside your tooth helps you feel better and may help save your tooth. Keep reading to learn the basics of root canals and what a root canal treatment may look like in Louisville, Colorado.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is the treatment of the innermost region of a tooth, called the pulp. This area houses vital structures such as blood vessels and nerves. When this region is invaded by bacteria, most frequently because of a cavity in the tooth, pain, and infection will result. We perform root canal treatment to stop the pain and eliminate the infection. During a root canal, we remove the bacteria and infected tissues from the pulp. Then, we fill the region to seal the area off from contamination properly.
What Should You Know About a Root Canal Procedure?
Root canals used to be synonymous with “torture.” Nowadays, root canals are more advanced and have made managing the root canal process straightforward. They are very effective at relieving pain, sensitivity, and inflammation that develops inside your teeth. They are also very effective at saving your natural teeth. If there is enough healthy tooth structure to hold a crown effectively, we recommend saving the tooth using modern dental treatments, such as root canals.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal?
You may need a root canal if you fall into one of these scenarios:
- A cavity becomes so large that it introduces bacteria to the tooth’s pulp and causes pain.
- An abscess occurs, where swelling develops and degrades the tissues around the tooth, even if you do not feel any pain.
- Severe sensitivity develops in a tooth after it is treated with a filling or crown because the cavity is very close to the pulp, and non-invasive treatments do not resolve the sensitivity.
Is There an Alternative to Getting a Root Canal?
There are two alternatives: no treatment or extraction. Leaving an infected or sore tooth alone without going to the dentist for treatment is never a wise choice. The infection could worsen and spread to other areas of your mouth and body.
If your tooth is extracted, there will be an area in your mouth without a tooth. We can offer you tooth replacement options, but we prefer to try to save the tooth if possible. Therefore, we recommend pursuing treatment quickly when pain develops. The sooner your sore tooth is treated, the more likely the treatment will be successful.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
We will numb the infected area using a local anesthetic at the beginning of your root canal appointment. After the anesthetic has taken effect, we will create an entrance into the tooth. Then, we use special files to remove the infected pulp. We will take a number of x-rays during the process. After removing the pulp, we fill the area and seal it off.
Who Knew Visiting The Dentist Could Be So Enjoyable?
Short answer: our patients. Come see for yourself today.
How Painful is a Root Canal?
There should be absolutely no pain during the root canal procedure. If there is, we ask that you tell us, so we can ensure you are properly numb. We offer dental sedation options because we believe your comfort level during your appointment is important. After the root canal procedure and the anesthesia wears off, you can expect to feel some pain. However, the pain should not be debilitating or prevent you from performing normal daily activities. Pain will be most significant immediately after treatment and normally resolve within 3-5 days.
Can Dentists Perform a Root Canal, or Do You Need to See a Specialist?
Dentists can perform many root canals, although there are times when seeing a specialist would be a better option. For example, some molars have complicated anatomy requiring a specialist to complete the root canal successfully. Additionally, if a tooth has had a root canal previously and needs more treatment, we often recommend a specialist to treat the problem. Our root canal dentist, Dr. Barta, will let you know if a specialist is needed after carefully examining your tooth.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of a Root Canal?
Coverage for root canals depends upon the insurance plan. Sometimes dental benefits will cover up to 80% of the cost of root canals, but sometimes the insurance carrier places the burden of payment entirely upon the patient. Contact us to help determine what your cost would be for root canal treatment.
Why Go to The Dentist in Louisville for Root Canal Treatment?
At The Dentist in Louisville, we can perform both root canals and implants, so you can rest assured that we weigh the pros and cons of saving your teeth. When the root canal is recommended, it is because we believe your tooth can still survive for a significant period. We will make sure that you understand our decision-making process so that you can decide if our recommended treatment is right for you.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you have a sore tooth or you believe you may need root canal treatment, please get in touch with The Dentist in Louisville right away so we can schedule an appointment. We care about your well-being and want to help you have as healthy a mouth as possible. We’re here for you in Louisville, Colorado!