A tooth infection can cause severe pain. Left untreated, decay can lead to tooth loss and other issues. At Bailey Dental Group in Richmond, MI, our dentist can perform a root canal procedure to restore the health and comfort of your smile. So why should you consider undergoing root canal treatment with Dr. Cynthia E. Bailey?
Why consider advanced root canal treatment?
Gentle Treatment Methods
Dr. Bailey uses modern root canal techniques, as well as local anesthesia, to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your endodontic procedure. This procedure can provide significant relief from tooth pain.
Protection
Even a small cavity, when left untreated, can eventually lead to the loss of a tooth. With a root canal, we can preserve the healthy exterior of your tooth to prevent the need for extraction and tooth loss.
Restored Oral Health
Once a dental infection exists, it can spread to neighboring teeth and gum tissue. An infection of the root canal can affect the tissue and pulp within the tooth, and eventually reach the jaw and cause bone loss. Receiving prompt treatment at our Richmond practice can help you avoid more serious oral health concerns.
Paying for a Root Canal
When developing your root canal treatment plan, we will work with your insurance provider to obtain as much coverage as possible. We also accept financing and all major credit cards, which allow patients the option of paying for treatment over the course of several months rather than upfront.
Signs of root canal infection
You should seek immediate dental care for:
- Persistent Tooth Pain
- Severe Dental Sensitivity
- Swelling Around the Teeth
- Chronic Bad Taste in Your Mouth
Root canal therapy
The Treatment Process
We serve patients from across Michigan at our Richmond practice. You can expect the following when having a root canal with our skilled dentist.
1. Anesthesia
The first step in the root canal procedure is to numb the tooth and surrounding area so you feel comfortable throughout treatment.
2. Cleaning the Root Canals
Next, we remove all soft tissues from the root canals utilizing state-of-the-art tools, cleaning and sterilizing the canals to prevent reinfection.
3. Filling the Canals
Next, we fill the root canals with a durable dental substance that lends strength to the tooth and prevents bacteria from gaining access to the central canals of the tooth.
4. Crown Placement
We typically wait about four to six weeks before placing a custom dental crown on the tooth so the area has time to heal. Once placed, the crown can provide the strength and protection the tooth needs to sustain daily wear and tear.
Root canal therapy vs. extraction
When Can We Save Your Tooth?
If you have a severe dental infection, the two primary treatment options are root canal therapy and tooth extraction. After an extraction, you will need to replace the removed tooth with an implant-retained crown or another type of permanent restoration. These treatment options typically cost more and require a longer treatment time than a simple root canal. If the tooth can be saved, dentists and endodontists will recommend a root canal.
Healthy Outer Structure
Root canal treatment deals mainly with the inside of the tooth, or the pulp. During a consultation, Dr. Bailey can assess whether the exterior of your tooth is healthy enough to support a dental crown. If not, we may recommend tooth extraction.
Wisdom Teeth
Since wisdom teeth are not necessary for proper oral function, we do not typically recommend a root canal when these teeth become infected. Instead, we will likely recommend wisdom tooth removal to restore the health of your smile.