At Weinberg Dentistry, we’re promoting treatments and procedures that improve your smile from the inside out. The foundation of a beautiful smile is one rooted in good oral health. When you make an appointment to visit us, whether for a cleaning or cosmetic treatment, we will always emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral health habits at home.
Combined with your efforts, regular check-ups and cleanings with us will ensure that your entire mouth is on track to be as healthy as it can possibly be.
There’s another reason we recommend regular dental appointments. Sometimes, despite your and our best efforts to prevent it, bacteria can form and cause issues. Usually those issues can be confined and minimized if caught early enough.
In some instances, however, more extensive restorative treatment is necessary. Should a bacteria spread far enough to cause a serious infection, we have at our disposal a very useful and highly effective treatment known as root canal therapy.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is the name given to the restorative treatment performed on a tooth with infected pulp. The pulp of a tooth is the soft area in the center of the tooth, below the crown and above the roots. Pulp contains the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that essentially makes your teeth living things.
The nerve of a tooth extends down the legs of the teeth—the pointed ends that are at the opposite end of the tooth. The root canals of a tooth travel down these ends of the tooth and supply nutrients to the pulp of the tooth in the center.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
There are a few signs and indicators you can watch out for that could indicate you need a root canal. Root canals are most often recommended when infection has gone beyond other means of repair and requires a more in-depth treatment option.
How Do You Know If You Need a Root Canal?
You might be in need of a root canal if you are or have been experiencing the following root canal symptoms for an extended period of time. These symptoms include:
- Extreme pain when chewing or biting.
- Chipped or cracked tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold things placed on or near teeth.
- Swollen or tender gums.
- Darkening of gums.
The following ailments could also lead to potential need for a root canal:
- Cavities.
- Diagnosed gum disease.
- Damaged filling.
- Infection of an impacted tooth.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, call our office to learn more about root canals at Weinberg Dentistry Today!
Root Canal Treatment
Once the infection in the pulp of your tooth has gotten severe enough, a root canal specialist, such as Dr. Weinberg, can take steps to fix it.
The root canal process is straightforward: all the infected material in your tooth will be carefully removed and cleaned completely out. The inside of your tooth will be carefully shaped to take on a filling that will then be sealed from the outside, preventing any infection from ever getting into that tooth again.
Once the root canal procedure is complete, your tooth will continue to function just as it always has.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
The average root canal takes anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour and a half. The more complex the situation and the infection, the longer it will take. It’s also not uncommon for a root canal treatment to be done over the course of multiple appointments.
How Long Does a Root Canal Last?
Root canals have a very high success rate and are typically guaranteed for a lifetime.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
The price for a root canal varies depending on what kind of tooth requires the work. If a molar, it typically costs more. An incisor tooth will usually cost less.
The price will also be different if you see an endodontist instead of your regular dentist, because endodontists are specialists in their field. However, this could be necessary if your root canal proves to be more complicated.
After Root Canal Treatment
Pain after a root canal is to be expected, as it is with any type of surgical or invasive procedure. That being said, root canal recovery time should only take a few days.
Root canal recovery can be made significantly more bearable through the use of prescribed medications. If you experience pain or swelling lasting longer than a few days, you should contact your dentist immediately.
Root Canal Treatment at West Palm Beach with Weinberg Dentistry
Get in touch with our team at Weinberg Dentistry today, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions about root canals or help you set up an appointment. No one should have to live with the pain caused by a tooth infection or decayed tooth. We’re here to help ensure your smile is whole and healthy.