If you’ve never had root canal treatment, you may be curious about what to expect—the process and journey. Additionally, if it’s been decades since you’ve needed this type of treatment, you may wonder what has changed and what a modern root canal treatment in Mesquite, TX, looks like.
Continue reading to learn more about this essential dental treatment and ways to mitigate your infection risks.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment is a way to save an infected tooth from loss or extraction. Through root canal therapy, your dentist in Mesquite, TX, can clear inflammation from your tooth’s canal, eliminating pain and restoring the tooth’s function.
If you need a root canal, you likely have symptoms, which can include all or some of the following:
- Severe or increasing tooth pain
- Jaw or face swelling
- A blister or bump on the gum
- Tooth discoloration or darkening
Tooth root infections—typically caused by untreated decay, tooth trauma, or poor oral hygiene—are dental emergencies because pain can increase, and infection can spread without intervention from your dentist.
Pros and Cons of Root Canal Treatment
There are pros and cons to consider with any dental or medical treatment. However, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to root canal therapy.
Pros:
- Root canal therapy allows you to keep your tooth.
- Modern root canal therapy is painless.
- Root canal treatment restores tooth stability.
- In addition, root canal treatment relieves pain and swelling.
Cons:
- Your dentist will likely have to cap your tooth with a dental crown.
Alternative therapies may include extraction followed by tooth replacement with a dental implant or bridge. However, it’s essential to seek treatment in either case. You should never leave an oral infection untreated—and these types of infections do not clear up on their own.
Root Canal Steps
There are steps to a root canal treatment—from diagnosis to aftercare. It’s important to see these steps through to the finish.
Before the Procedure
Because other dental health issues can mimic oral infection, your dentist must make the diagnosis. Whether you come in with a dental emergency or increasing tooth sensitivity, the first step is evaluating your symptoms and diagnosing your issue. This may include x-rays.
If you’re diagnosed with a tooth root infection, your dentist takes measures to clear it and stabilize your situation.
During the Procedure
Your procedure starts with anesthesia. First, your dentist anesthetizes the area around your painful tooth, which brings immediate relief. Then, while the treatment site is deadened, your dentist makes a tiny hole in the tooth and extracts infected pulp and tissue from the canal.
After clearing the canal, we rinse it thoroughly and close the tooth temporarily with a rubber-like filling material.
Because we use special instruments that contribute to precision, you can expect a speedy recovery.
After the Procedure
After we’ve finished the preliminary work, you can return home.
We ask that you not eat anything too hot until after the anesthesia wears off completely. And if you notice mild discomfort later in the evening, an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen is usually sufficient to clear symptoms.
After a week or two, you return to our dental office for a permanent tooth-colored filling or a dental crown. We only recommend fillings if the root infection is minor and caught early. However, most root canals require a dental crown to stabilize the tooth—infection renders it weak and at risk for breakage.
Cost and Insurance
Root canal costs vary based on dental insurance coverage and the complexity of your treatment. However, your dentist will discuss costs before starting work on your tooth.
Additionally, we accept most dental insurance plans, and our team is always eager to help you maximize your benefits. We will always bill your insurance company on your behalf!
Our dental office also offers an exclusive membership plan, which includes substantial savings on the treatments patients need most, including checkups and root canal therapy. Ask us about details and exclusions.
Finally, we work with Proceed Finance and CareCredit to help patients and families finance their dental care. A team member can talk to you about these programs and tell you how to apply. Final decisions for eligibility are typically prompt.
Lower Your Risks with Prevention
Modern root canal treatment is not painful, but it’s always better not to develop tooth decay or oral health complications. To help ensure a problem-free smile, we recommend the following:
- Visit your dentist every six months for dental cleanings and checkups.
- Brush and floss your teeth twice daily or after each meal.
- Protect your smile with a mouthguard if you play sports.
- Talk to your dentist about a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
- Talk to your dentist if you notice unusual oral health symptoms.
Need a Root Canal in Mesquite, TX?
If you’ve noticed oral health changes, including a sensitive tooth or teeth, it’s essential to contact our dental team today to arrange an assessment with the dentist. And never hesitate to give us a call if you have questions.