Root Canal Therapy
Hickory Creek, Texas
Does your morning coffee or favorite ice cream leave you with sensitivity that lingers? Or maybe you’re waking up with an unbearable toothache that persists even with over-the-counter pain relief medication. These may be warning signs of a tooth infection requiring root canal therapy. Despite what you may have heard, the endodontic procedure helps relieve pain and save your natural teeth. Dr. Bell and his team at Alta Family Dental never spare any effort to provide you with comfortable, anxiety-free care every step of the way in Hickory Creek, TX.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
At the core of every tooth and extending into the root canals is an area called the pulp chamber that contains a tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. A root canal treatment may be necessary to treat tooth pulp infection or inflammation, resulting from deep decay or trauma. The endodontic treatment will remove the infection and restore your healthy, pain-free smile.
The following are warning signs of tooth pulp damage that may require root canal treatment:
- Severe tooth pain or discomfort
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swollen, tender gums
- A chipped, cracked, or discolored tooth
- A recurring pimple on the gums
Saving your natural tooth with root canal therapy helps maintain your natural bite and chewing ability. It also prevents the shifting of the nearby teeth and helps avoid the need for extraction and restorative dental treatments, such as dental implants or dental bridges. The relatively straightforward procedure is often the most conservative and cost-effective option for treating an infected tooth.
What Is the Root Canal Procedure?
Most root canals take a single visit to complete. Dr. Bell will start by examining the affected tooth and administering a local anesthetic to ensure you are completely pain-free during your root canal. He is also happy to offer nitrous oxide sedation, if needed, to help you feel calm and relaxed.
Once you are ready, Dr. Bell will make a small opening in the crown of the tooth and clean out the diseased pulp tissue before shaping the root canals and filling them with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection. In most cases, he uses a temporary filling to seal the space.
After your root canal, Dr. Bell and his team will create and place a dental crown to protect the treated tooth and restore its natural appearance and full function.
What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?
Here is a look at the benefits of root canal therapy:
- It Relieves Pain: Removing the inflamed or infected pulp tissue that’s causing you pain and pressure can provide immediate relief.
- It Saves Natural Teeth: Root canal therapy is the only alternative to tooth extraction in many cases, helping save your natural teeth.
- It Restores Natural Function: Your treated tooth will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth, enhancing your smile and oral health.
- It Prevents the Spread of Infection: Removing your tooth infection helps keep it from spreading to your surrounding teeth and jawbone and from entering your bloodstream, safeguarding your oral and systemic health.
- It is Predictable: Root canal therapy has a high success rate, and with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits to Alta Family Dental for dental exams and cleanings, the treated tooth has the potential to last a lifetime.
Root Canal Therapy Near Me in Hickory Creek, TX
If you need a root canal treatment, you’re in excellent hands. Dr. Bell uses the latest technology and techniques to provide you with effective, personalized dental care with a gentle, compassionate touch. Our team at Alta Family Dental is committed to providing a warm, comfortable environment where you can relax while receiving top-tier care.
Call our Hickory Creek family practice at 940-344-6070 to schedule your personalized consultation or book an appointment online today!