What Is a Root Canal?
Your health and wellness are very important to us. As a comprehensive and caring team, we strive to treat teeth in the most conservative way and as early as possible. When identified early, damaged teeth can often be restored with a simple filling or even a protective dental crown. But teeth that are internally infected, cracked, or have other types of damage may need special care to save them from needing to be removed from your mouth. A root canal is a type of endodontic procedure that our Made Ya Smile Dental team performs to eliminate the infection from within the center (pulp) of a tooth and the internal portions of tooth roots. This treatment effectively clears the tooth of decay or damage, sterilizes the center structure, and strengthens the tooth from within. Getting timely root canal care can not only save your tooth, but it can also reduce the chance of systemic illness resulting from an oral infection.
Over the years, root canals have been regarded as uncomfortable procedures. With advanced technology and our thorough anesthetic techniques, there is no reason to fear root canal therapy. General dentist Dr. Peter Nishino uses his years of experience and thorough training to perform root canals in the most minimally invasive way possible. He and our team can pair your root canal treatment with sedation solutions to make your visit even more comfortable. Tooth pain, teeth that look dark in color, and a blister-like bump on the gums often indicate the need for a root canal. Get in touch with our Friendswood, TX practice right away so that you can receive the comfortable and personalized care you need for your smile.
Root Canal Therapy Reviews
What Are The Signs That a Root Canal is Needed?
How do I know if I need a root canal? Get in touch with our caring Friendswood, TX team as soon as possible if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms that a root canal may be necessary:
• Discomfort when biting down
• Toothache or a dull pain
• Temperature sensitivity
• Blister-like lesion on the gums
• Swollen or discolored gum tissues
• A tooth that is dark or gray
When an infected tooth does not receive timely treatment, the infection may travel into the underlying bone and through the bloodstream to other parts of your body. Seeking root canal therapy when you have internal damage to a tooth can help to minimize the need for further treatment and even a tooth extraction. Root canals are often necessary to treat teeth that have an infection within the center portion due to bacteria entering this area from a large cavity, cracks in the tooth, or oral trauma.
How Long Does A Root Canal Take?
Depending on the tooth treated and the amount of decay, an average root canal can take about 30 – 60 minutes. At every stage of the root canal process, our team will be sure to keep you informed and assess your comfort level. Talk to Dr. Nishino about our sedation dentistry options, including nitrous oxide (laughing) gas and oral-conscious sedation to help make your procedure relaxed and carefree.
Dr. Nishino will thoroughly numb your tooth and the surrounding area. He will create a small opening in the chewing surface and work through to eliminate the infection from your tooth. Using refined endodontic tools, Dr. Nishino will clear the pulp of infected tissue and reshape the canals of your tooth. After the tooth is disinfected, a filling material will be placed within the canals to strengthen the damaged tooth. Our team will then place a sedative filling to close the tooth and allow healing to take place. At the end of your visit, you will be given instructions on caring for your mouth while you recover. Dr. Nishino will also let you know when you need to come back to our office for a follow-up visit.
Recovery After Root Canal Therapy
It is best to avoid eating until the local anesthetic used to numb your mouth has fully worn off. You will also need to be driven home by an adult if you chose oral-conscious sedation as part of your root canal treatment. In the first few days after your procedure, you may notice slight discomfort or swelling in your mouth or face, but this can usually be managed with cold compresses and nonprescription pain relievers. To help treat the tooth infection, Dr. Nishino may give you a prescription for antibiotics. Please take this as directed to help minimize the risk of your oral infection impacting your general health.
Teeth that have been treated with a root canal may become brittle and more likely to break. To protect your tooth structure after your endodontic procedure, Dr. Nishino may recommend a dental crown. While a root canal restores function to a damaged tooth, a crown returns a natural appearance. Crowns protect the tooth from the gumline up and offer full coverage restoration. Dr. Nishino and our caring team will routinely assess the health of your tooth when you visit our practice periodically for your dental cleaning and exam visits.
Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?
Your dental insurance plan may provide some coverage for your root canal therapy if you need endodontics for an infected tooth. To learn about your specific plan's benefits, a member of our business team will review your coverage amounts and let you know about any out-of-pocket expenses for your care. Root canal therapy may be necessary to save your tooth. Our Made Ya Smile Dental team in Friendswood, TX wants you to be able to get that care and will help you find a financial solution that fits in your budget. Talk with our staff about low-cost financing through CareCredit® and our other convenient payment options.
Root Canal Therapy FAQ
How long does it take to recover from a root canal?
Recovery following a root canal can take three days up to a week. We'll provide aftercare instructions to make sure you heal optimally. For additional questions about root canal treatment, contact our team.
Does a root canal hurt?
A root canal procedure shouldn't cause significant discomfort and can be similar to what you feel during a tooth filling. We numb the treatment area so you don't experience extreme discomfort.
Are there alternatives to a root canal?
The only alternative available is tooth extraction. We make every effort to save the infected tooth to preserve your oral health, as missing teeth may cause other significant damage in the future.
Modern Endodontic Treatment
Receiving a root canal to treat an infected tooth can save your smile and your oral health. Root canal therapy removes damage and infection from within your tooth to strengthen and restore function from within. Made Ya Smile Dental strives to create positive dental experiences and is a place where you can come to get the quality care you need without worrying about discomfort. If you have tooth pain or other concerning symptoms, please get in touch with our Friendswood, TX team right away to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nishino.
