September 26, 2017
General
Need a Root Canal? Don't Panic!
"Root canal" may be one of the most dreaded phrases in dentistry, but we promise you that root canal therapy is really a good thing! Root canals actually save infected teeth so they don't have to be extracted. With this treatment, patients can hold onto damaged teeth and continue to use them for years and years.
Do you have a painful toothache and need a root canal treatment to save the tooth? No problem!
We are currently offering root canals for only $499-699 for our uninsured patients. Call us today at 770-489-9141 and we'll take care of your problem tooth.
Why does the root canal have such a fearsome reputation? Probably for two reasons. One, they take a good bit longer to complete than simple fillings. Back in the days before good anesthetics were available to numb you during dental work, this longer procedure usually involved a bit of squirming and sensitivity. If you have a grandpa who refuses to go to the dentist, his anxiety may be caused by an painful root canal from the past that he can't forget.
Another possible reason root canals may induce anxiety is because the name is more specific to the tooth's anatomy than other friendly-sounding dental procedures. "Filling" doesn't sound so bad, right? But a root canal is just a deeper kind of filling that extends into the root canals of the tooth.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal treatment is an endodontic (inside the tooth) treatment that requires the dentist to go all the way into the inner chamber of the tooth to remove bacteria and decay. When a tooth's innermost chamber is infected (or may become infected due to a deep crack, for example) a root canal is the only way to save the tooth from having to be extracted.
A root canal starts like a normal filling. The dentist will remove decayed tooth matter and bacteria from the tooth. But instead of the procedure only happening in the hard outer surfaces of the tooth, a root canal goes all the way down to where the living tissues of the tooth reside. The blood vessels, nerve endings, and other tissues are removed and the inside of the tooth is meticulously cleaned and shaped, even down into the root canals.
The second step of a root canal is filling in the hollowed out tooth with a rubbery substance called gutta percha. This material is different from the metal amalgam or tooth-colored composite used in standard dental fillings. A root canal treatment is finished with either a filling or a dental crown to protect the tooth from reinfection.
What to Expect
A root canal treatment usually requires two appointments. At the first appointment we will conduct a dental exam, take x-rays, and assess the state of your tooth. Next we will begin treating the tooth by removing any decayed tooth matter and cleaning and shaping the inside of the tooth.
This procedure should not cause you any sensitivity, since we use injected anesthetics to block the nerves before we start. If you ever feel any pain during a dental procedure, let us know immediately and we will stop the procedure until you are adequately numbed.
At the second appointment, we fill the tooth and finish the restoration with a crown or filling. The appointments may be one to two weeks apart, and we will give you specific instructions to care for the tooth during the interim period.
Your Affordable Lithia Springs Dentist
Do you need an affordable root canal in Lithia Springs, GA? We at Value Smiles pride ourselves on providing high quality dentistry at affordable prices. We have special membership offers and low prices for our patients without insurance---because quality dentistry should never be out of reach, for anyone! See our page on financing to learn about spreading your payments out over 12 months at no interest.
