Root Canal Treatment – Fort Worth, TX
A Solution for Infected, Painful Teeth
Serious pain in one of your teeth is often a sign of an infection. If this issue isn’t addressed by an emergency dentist in Fort Worth as promptly as possible, you could ultimately end up losing the tooth. In order to help you preserve your natural smile, our team at Distinguished Dental offers comfortable root canal treatments that can help get rid of the source of the infection. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today if you think you may be in need of a root canal.
Why Choose Distinguished Dental for Root Canal Treatment?
- Same-Day Appointments for Dental Emergencies
- Sedation Available for Nervous Patients
- Practice That Utilizes the Latest Technology
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
There’s a good chance that you might need a root canal treatment if you notice any of the following warning signs:
- You are experiencing severe tooth pain that doesn’t go away.
- You have a tooth that is extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
- One of your teeth is notably darker than the others.
- There is a pimple-like bump on your gum tissue.
- You experience pain whenever you bite down on something.
Upon noticing any of the symptoms listed above, you should schedule an appointment with our team. We can examine your tooth in order to narrow down the underlying cause of the problem and determine whether a root canal treatment is needed in your case.
The Root Canal Process
Root canal treatment is intended to remove infected or damaged pulp. At the start of the procedure, a local anesthetic is administered to the treatment area. This will help ensure that you don’t experience any discomfort during the process. Once your mouth is numb, we will create a small opening in your tooth so that we can take the pulp out.
The inside of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned in order to get rid of any harmful bacteria. After that, the tooth is filled with gutta-percha before being resealed. A crown will be placed in order to keep the treated tooth safe.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Some people are hesitant to pursue a root canal for toothache treatment, but it’s important to recognize that the procedure offers many important benefits:
- It Lets Us Save Your Tooth: A tooth infection will not get better on its own. Instead, it will grow worse over time and may eventually reach the point where a tooth extraction is required. But with root canal treatment, we can get rid of the infection while allowing you to keep the tooth in question, which is ultimately better for your oral health in the long run.
- It is Virtually Pain-Free: Modern root canal treatment is nowhere near as painful as some patients believe. Our team will utilize the latest technology and techniques to help you stay as comfortable as possible through every step of the process.
- It is Highly Reliable: Root canal treatment has a very high success rate, with up to 97% of patients being able to keep the tooth in question 10 years after the initial procedure.
Root Canal FAQs
Is a Root Canal Painful?
A long time ago, dentists didn’t use the same effective anesthetic techniques that we do today, which is where root canals got their reputation for being painful. Thankfully, those days are long gone! Now, Dr. McIntosh starts the process by making absolutely sure that you’re completely numb, and many of our patients say their procedure was no more uncomfortable than getting a dental filling. We also offer sedation to make the procedure comfortable for everyone.
What is Root Canal Recovery Like?
It’s not uncommon to have some mild discomfort or sensitivity for a few days after the procedure. This occurs as the inflammation that was previously in the tooth subsides and is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. We also recommend keeping the tooth clean with good oral hygiene habits and chewing on the opposite side for the first several days. If you have any pain that persists after three days, give us a call.
Is a Root Canal Better Than a Tooth Extraction?
We always encourage our patients to save their natural teeth whenever possible. While we have great replacement options such as bridges and dental implants, nothing is quite as good as your own teeth. And leaving a missing space after extraction increases the likelihood of oral health problems such as cavities, gum disease, and bite alignment issues.
Does Insurance Cover Root Canals?
In most cases, yes! Many insurance plans cover root canals at 50%-90% after the deductible has been met, but each plan is different, so start by looking at your guidelines. If you have any questions about your coverage, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’ll be happy to explain your benefits and can even file a preauthorization, which is a formal estimate from your insurance company of how much they’ll pay for your procedure.
What Happens If I Choose Not to Have a Root Canal?
A root canal is done to treat an infection that has occurred in the pulp cavity of a tooth. The pulp contains the tooth’s blood supply and nerves, which extend through the canals that run the length of the roots (hence the name “root canals”). If left untreated, this infection can become very dangerous and even life-threatening because it can spread to other areas of your body. It can also lead to severe pain, which everyone can agree they’d rather avoid.
Again, you do have the option of having the tooth pulled, but as we mentioned before, we only recommend that as a last resort.