At Full Smile Endodontics, we understand how important it is to protect your natural teeth. Dr. Steffan Scherer performs root canal treatment to save a natural tooth if its dental pulp becomes infected. By saving your natural tooth, we can prevent the need to extract it and replace it with a dental implant. If you have been referred to an endodontist by your general dentist, experience tooth pain, or believe you may need root canal treatment performed, contact Full Smile Endodontics in Amarillo, TX, today.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Inside every tooth and its root is a hollow section called a root canal. This canal contains dental pulp, which is made up of nerve tissue, blood vessels, and cells. An infection in the pulp can spread, destroying the pulp and eventually leading to tooth loss. Infection is often due to a deep cavity or cracks in the tooth that allow bacteria to enter. If an infection within the dental pulp is left untreated, bacteria can spread through the tooth root openings and infect the jawbone, causing the bone to break down.
Root canal therapy will either treat or prevent infection within the tooth (dental pain). This treatment eliminates any infection and subsequent pain by cleaning and removing infected pulp. Once a tooth is fully developed, it can survive without its pulp because the surrounding tissue nourishes it. During this procedure, we will remove the dental pulp, eliminating the infection while saving the natural tooth
The Root Canal Procedure
During your consultation appointment, we will take a comprehensive/complete scan of your entire mouth utilizing a CBCT scan (3D imaging) to assess the severity of any current or potential infection and form a detailed treatment plan. Typically root canal treatments can be performed over 1 to 2 visits.
Upon agreeing to the proposed treatment plan, Dr. Scherer will then assure that you are comfortable and will experience no pain during the procedure. In some cases, we will seal the tooth at the same visit as the cleaning. Other cases will require you to return in 3-4 weeks if medication was necessary to treat the infection. In these instances, we will insert a temporary filling to keep bacteria out of the canal between appointments.
The final step involved when root canal treatment is complete, is restoration. Many teeth that require root canal therapy have large cracks or are weakened from decay and require a dental crown. Having a crown placed will restore your tooth’s function and prevent future damage. A restorative dentist will create and place your final crown. In the event that you already have a crown, Dr. Scherer will be able to seal the access through the crown. Your general dentist will ultimately determine the final, long term status of your tooth.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
By undergoing this dental procedure, you improve your oral health and daily life in many ways:
- Alleviate tooth pain caused by inflammation or infection
- Chew food more efficiently without the discomfort of a painful tooth
- Save the tooth and prevent the need to have the tooth extracted
- Prevent the infection from spreading beyond the root of the tooth into the jaw
- Maintain a proper bite with a strong biting force
Cost of Root Canal Treatment
The cost of root canal treatment will depend on the extent of care required, your choice of anesthesia and/or sedation, as well as your dental insurance. Some patients require treatment for a single tooth, while others need multiple teeth treated. We will provide you with a cost estimate during your initial consultation.
Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of endodontic treatment, which includes root canal therapy. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to find out the details of your coverage; however, our administrative staff is happy to assist if necessary. While we may not be in network with all dental insurance plans, we do accept plans (with the exception of Medicaid) and will gladly submit all claims to your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions: Root Canal Treatment
How long does a root canal take?
It typically takes between 30–60 minutes to perform root canal treatment on a single tooth. Complex cases or those involving multiple teeth may take 1–2 hours.
What foods can I eat after root canal?
The gums may be sore after treatment. We recommend a soft food diet, such as applesauce, yogurt, bananas, puddings, cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, eggs, rice, or pasta, and return to a normal diet as your gums heal. Sensitivity is common immediately after root canal treatment, so try to avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks. Following subsequent days, you can return to your normal diet.
How long does a root canal last?
Root canal treatment is designed to save the natural tooth for many years, ideally for life. You can extend the longevity of your treatment’s success by keeping your teeth clean and preventing future infections from occurring.
How painful is a root canal?
We make sure you are as comfortable as possible when undergoing root canal therapy. We use local anesthesia to profoundly numb the area so you will not feel anything during treatment. We also offer options for conscious sedation which include nitrous oxide, Halcion, or Versed.