Root Canal Treatment in Allen

What is root canal treatment?

A root canal treatment is a dental treatment that helps treat a condition called a dental or tooth abscess. An abscess occurs when bacteria gets inside the pulp of your tooth. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. When it becomes infected, it causes pain, sensitivity, and inflammation. An infection can even spread to other parts of your body and make you sick. Root canal treatment will remove the infected pulp to cure the infection and stop the pain. We offer root canal treatment at all three of our locations in Allen, Fort Worth, and Wylie, Texas.

How is a root canal performed?

You’ll have a root canal inside a dental office. You might have an x-ray done first to help the dentist determine the exact location of the infection. You’ll then receive anesthesia directly on your teeth and gums. This will numb the area and stop you from feeling pain during the root canal treatment. You might also receive sedation to help you relax during treatment. The dentist will then isolate the tooth and begin the treatment. 

During a root canal a dentist will:

1. Make a hole in your tooth— A hole in your tooth allows the dentist to access the pulp.
2. Remove the pulp— The dentist will carefully remove all the infected pulp, including nerves and blood vessels, from inside your tooth. The pulp of your tooth contains nerves and blood vessels.
3. Clean the inside of the tooth—  Once the pulp is removed, the dentist will clean out the tooth, disinfect it, and reshape it so that it can be filled. 
4. Fill the inside of the tooth— Your tooth will be filled with a dental-grade material. 
5. Seal the tooth— You’ll receive a temporary dental filling over your tooth to seal it and prevent reinfection. 

Root Canal Retreatment

If a previously root canal treated tooth fails to heal or if a persistent infection is discovered, a root canal retreatment may be required.

Although root canal therapy has a high success rate, infection or inflammation may persist or reoccur despite our best efforts, just as it does with other medical or dental procedures. Your endodontist may be able to help you figure out what’s causing the problem and how to fix it. To save your tooth, a root canal retreatment technique may be the best alternative.

Root canal retreatment is identical to root canal treatment, however it includes a few more stages and usually requires two visits. The initial visit entails the removal of all root canal filling materials and the application of calcium hydroxide, an antimicrobial paste. A temporary filling material is then used to seal the tooth. This antibiotic medication is placed in the tooth for a period of time to reduce the amount of germs and improve the tooth’s healing prospects.

The calcium hydroxide paste is removed on the second visit, the canals are carefully cleansed and shaped again, and a fresh root canal filling is inserted. Finally, a temporary filling is inserted in your tooth to seal the gap. When the tooth is restored, your dentist will remove the temporary filling. Your tooth is vulnerable to fracturing or infection during root canal retreatment due to the loss of the temporary filling. As a result, it’s critical that you see your dentist as soon as possible to have the tooth restored to full functionality.

After root canal treatment

You’ll be numb for about two to four hours after a root canal treatment. It’s best not to return to work or school on the same day as a root canal treatment. If you receive sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you home following your root canal. You might have some discomfort and mild pain in the days that follow your root canal. For most people, this pain only lasts for about a week and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. 

You’ll likely need a follow-up appointment after root canal treatment so that a permanent crown can be placed on your tooth. A crown will protect your treated tooth. Crowns are custom made to fit your tooth and can take a couple of weeks to prepare. Once the crown is ready, the temporary filling you had placed during your root canal treatment will be removed, and your permanent crown will be placed. 

Cost of root canal treatment

The cost of a root canal depends on your dental office and on the tooth or teeth that require treatment. However, root canals are generally significantly more affordable than having a tooth extracted and receiving a dental implant. Your dental insurance might cover part of the cost of a root canal, and we offer special financing and payment options for the rest.

Root Canal Treatment FAQ

• How does a root canal treatment help?

A root canal removes infected pulp from the inside of your tooth. It stops the infection from continuing to grow and spread. This stops pain and inflammation. Additionally, a root canal allows you to keep your natural tooth and avoid tooth extraction. 

• How long can a root canal treatment wait?

It’s generally best to have a root canal as soon as you’re able to schedule it. Sometimes, you might be able to have a root canal the same day as a dentist tells you that you need one. If that’s not possible, it’s best to schedule your root canal treatment within the next week or two. 

• What happens if a root canal goes untreated?

The longer you wait to have a root canal, the more the bacteria inside your tooth will grow. This can lead to damage in your tooth and jaw that can cause total tooth loss. If the infection spreads throughout your body, it could  make you very ill and even damage your organs.