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What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is an endodontic treatment that removes infected pulp from within your tooth’s roots. The procedure relieves the pain that often accompanies infected tooth pulp tissue and helps restores your tooth’s health.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
Often, dental root canal treatment is the best way to save your tooth once it’s infected. Here are a few signs that you may need this type of endodontic treatment:
- Unrelenting, severe tooth pain
- Tooth pain that keeps you from sleeping through the night
- Sensitivity
- Pain when biting
- Gum tissue swelling around the tooth
- Tooth discoloration or advanced cavities
What Is a Root Canal Dentist?
Root canals can be performed by general dentists or specialists called endodontists. Often, endodontists are recommended when the patient’s condition is complex or if teeth require re-treatment. If you need a qualified dentist for a root canal in Suwanee, call our office today.
What Is a Root Canal Procedure?
You can expect to be in our office for one to two hours for your procedure. During the procedure, your dentist will:
1. Numb your teeth so you’re comfortable throughout the procedure.
2. Place a small rubber shield in your mouth to isolate the tooth.
3. Make a small hole in your tooth’s crown to access your tooth’s pulp chamber.
4. Remove the infected pulp, cleaning out the chamber and reshaping the root canals.
5. Flush the exposed canals with a disinfectant to remove debris and clean the pulp chamber.
6. Fill the canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha.
7. Seal the tooth and cap it with a temporary root canal crown.
You’ll return to our office for a more permanent crown at a later date.
What Is the Typical Root Canal Cost?
The cost of the procedure varies, depending partly on how severely your tooth is damaged and how much preparation is needed for the procedure. The number of your tooth’s roots also affects the price. Front teeth have only one root and molars have four roots, so root canals on front teeth are less expensive than root canals on molars. Your cost also depends on your dental insurance, which may cover part of your treatment costs. Our team can provide you with an estimate of your total cost, so feel free to call us for an appointment.
Are There Different Types of Root Canals?
Yes, while root canals are commonly performed, there are a few alternatives such as an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy removes the tip of a tooth’s root, and it’s used often when a prior treatment has been unsuccessful. Another alternative is a pediatric pulpotomy, which leaves the tooth’s nerve intact after removing the infected tooth pulp.
Is a Dental Root Canal Painful?
We use local anesthesia to help keep our patients comfortable during the procedure. If you have tooth pain that just won’t go away, or if you have any other symptoms, call us right away. You can find relief from your pain and restore your tooth’s good health with treatment from our office.