If you’re suffering from a severe tooth infection, root canal therapy is a great option to get your smile back in tip-top shape.
While the term root canal carries a certain air of infamy, it’s quite a common procedure that serves to relieve pain and eradicate infection. At Helotes Family Dentistry, we provide personalized care with a gentle touch. We do everything we can to preserve your natural teeth and eliminate any discomfort you’re feeling. Our goal is to provide efficient, stress-free root canal therapy to repair your smile in no time at all!
Contact UsSigns That You May Need a Root Canal
Root canal therapy (also known as endodontic therapy) is the solution to a severe tooth infection when the pulp inside the tooth is compromised. Signs of this can include:
- Mild to Severe Toothaches
- Sensitivity to Temperature
- The Formation of an Abscess
- Tooth Discoloration (Blackening of Tooth)
- Tender or Red Gums
Root Canal FAQs
If you’re hesitant to undergo root canal therapy or have questions about the process, we’re here to help clear things up. We’ve compiled some FAQs to put your mind at ease. Enjoy!
Before the procedure begins, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable and numb so that the only thing you might feel is some light tugging. To gain access to the pulp, we’ll drill a small hole in the tooth. Using special tools, we’ll then remove the infected pulp and apply antibiotics to stave off the infection. We fill the root canals of your tooth with a biocompatible material that acts as the pulp before it was infected. Once that’s in place, we’ll seal the tooth and most likely top if off with a natural-looking crown restoration. The whole process can take about 30 minutes to an hour. Directly after, many patients experience near-instantaneous relief.
Yes! In addition to thoroughly numbing the area around your tooth before we begin, we also offer a variety of sedation options to ensure that you feel comfortable and at ease throughout the entire process. If you need any special accommodations or have any concerns, please bring it up with our team before your scheduled root canal appointment. We’re here to help you in any way that we can!
The only precautions we advise you take after your root canal procedure is to be careful around the area when taking part in your oral healthcare regimen. Please do continue to brush two times a day for two minutes each time and floss once a day, but take care around the affected area for three to five days as it may be sensitive.
Root canal procedures vary in cost from patient to patient. It all depends on your unique smile and the severity of the state of your infected tooth. When you come in for your consultation, we’ll assess your smile and work together to fit your procedure into your budget. Visit our financial page to discover your financial options. Get the care you need.
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