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A root canal is a treatment used to restore the health of an infected tooth. Your tooth has many layers, and the inside layer is known as the dental pulp. If you sustain dental trauma or your tooth has untreated decay, this soft pulp layer can become inflamed or infected.A root canal procedure is performed to eliminate the infection. It involves removing the entire portion of the infected pulp as well as the tooth’s roots. The tooth’s canals are cleaned and the tooth is filled with gutta-percha material and sometimes protected with a dental crown.
First, we will examine your tooth and take x-rays to look for the presence of an infection. Some teeth may be too far gone to be saved with a root canal. This will help us determine if the tooth can be saved. Then, we will perform the pulpectomy during the first appointment.
We will numb your tooth with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain when we drill into your tooth to reach the pulp chamber. The pulp will then be scraped out with dental tools and the canal system will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
The inside of the tooth is then filled with thermoplastic material called gutta-percha. Then the tooth is sealed with a permanent filling or a dental crown. Crowns are recommended in the rear molars because they are used for chewing and have a higher risk of damage.
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The best incentive to get a root canal is that the procedure is completely painless! The local anesthetic numbs the tooth so you won’t feel any of the pain sensations from the dental drill. Before you know it, the procedure will be over and you will no longer have to deal with the pain of a tooth infection.
Some lingering tenderness or sensitivity may occur in the first few days following the root canal treatment. However, it should be mild and respond to anti-inflammatory pain medication. This discomfort will subside within a couple of days.
Many insurance plans cover root canals as part of restorative dental coverage. This may be covered up to 50% but depends on the specific policy you have as well as annual limit requirements, waiting periods, and deductibles. However, if you have full dental coverage, then your policy should cover your root canal treatment at least partly. Contact your insurance provider directly to find out what they will cover. At The Ivory Dental Co., we offer financing options for patients who don’t have insurance through CareCredit, Alphaeon and Proceed Finance. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with your dentist in East Amherst.
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