If you have a damaged or aching tooth, Dr. Stacey Hall can help. She specializes in saving teeth with root canal therapy, treating cracked teeth, and repairing dental trauma. This is part of our general dentistry services.
A root canal is a significant dental procedure for maintaining your natural smile. It allows Dr. Hall to save a tooth from extraction. We specialize in relieving your tooth pain and restoring your health with expert, compassionate care.
Endodontics: Specialized procedures for sensitive tissue
Endodontics is a dental specialty that relates to the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. Every tooth has a soft inner core. If something damages or infects this core, endodontic treatment (a root canal) is necessary to save the tooth.
REASONS FOR NEEDING A ROOT CANAL
Various reasons and symptoms indicate the likelihood of needing a root canal. The most common include:
- Trauma to the tooth
- Changes in the appearance or coloring of a tooth, indicating an infection
- Increasing sensitivity to hot or cold
- Sudden or increasing pain in and around a tooth
- Changes in the gum line around a tooth or the appearance of an abscess
Whenever you have a concern about your oral health, we’re here to help. Please call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hall.
ROOT CANALS: WHAT TO EXPECT
A root canal often causes anxiety for patients, but it is less invasive today and causes minimal discomfort. In fact, this procedure usually relieves the pain and throbbing caused by the infection. Most patients feel relief quickly.
We clean and numb the area around the affected tooth to begin treatment. Once you are comfortable, Dr. Hall will make a tiny hole in the back of the tooth. Dr. Hall saves your tooth in three gentle steps: removing the infection, cleaning the area thoroughly, and sealing it with a stabilizing material.
Dr. Hall seals the area to complete the procedure. We often recommend a dental crown to strengthen the tooth and support a long-term result. We typically do this at a second appointment to allow the tooth and surrounding tissue to heal.
Why choose a root canal over a dental extraction?
We always recommend a root canal over tooth extraction. Keeping your natural tooth in place will maintain the structure of your bite and minimize the impact on adjacent teeth. Extracting a tooth almost always requires tooth replacement. Depending on the treatment, this additional complex treatment can take time to complete.
How long does a root canal take?
A root canal procedure takes about an hour. During a follow-up visit, we will place a dental crown.
Does dental insurance cover root canals?
Your dental insurance may cover a portion of the total treatment cost. Our front desk will work with you to determine your eligibility for benefits. Then, we can provide information regarding your estimated costs.
Will I need antibiotics before or after a root canal?
Most patients don’t need antibiotics unless there’s a severe infection or a specific medical condition that requires them. Your dentist may prescribe them if there’s facial swelling, a spreading infection, or a weakened immune system. We only use post-procedure antibiotics when clinically necessary.
Can children or teens get root canals?
Yes, children and teens may need root canals if a permanent tooth becomes infected or damaged. In some cases, we use a procedure called a pulpotomy for baby teeth. The approach depends on the child’s age, the tooth involved, and how deep the infection is.
Can a root canal fail, and what happens if it does?
Yes, a root canal can fail if the tooth doesn’t heal properly or becomes reinfected. This can happen due to hidden canals, cracks, or new decay. If it fails, symptoms like pain, swelling, or a recurring pimple on the gums may occur. We may recommend retreatment, an apicoectomy, or, in some cases, extraction.