Root Canal Therapy – Forest, VA

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Many patients immediately panic when they hear us say the words “root canal,” but truthfully, they have nothing to fear. This procedure is incredibly common and has helped countless patients salvage their natural smiles and restore the look and function of their mouths. Typically, we only recommend the treatment if your infection can still be managed, because we would rather you keep your natural tooth instead of having it extracted, if at all possible. When root canals are delayed, it can cause the infection to spread to other teeth, resulting in additional pain.

When you visit our office because of a severe toothache, we’ll examine your damaged tooth using our advanced imaging technology so we can diagnose exactly what’s causing your pain. From the information we collect, we can develop a customized treatment plan, which may include root canal therapy.

We’ll start the procedure by numbing your damaged tooth using a local anesthetic so you won’t feel a thing during your appointment. We’ll make a small access point in your tooth so we can clean out the infected pulp that’s causing your pain. Using special, small gadgets, we’ll clean and sanitize the area to make sure no harmful oral bacteria are left. With composite resin, we will fill the inner portion of your tooth to restore its structure and top your it off with a customized dental crown for added strength and protection.  

The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

The benefits of getting a root canal are priceless, especially when you consider how many oral complications you’ll be avoiding down the road. By scheduling your treatment in a timely manner with your dentist in Forest and saving your natural tooth, you can enjoy:

• A stronger biting force.
• Visually appealing results.
• A virtually pain-free procedure.
• No need for to replace a missing tooth.
• Restored oral health.
• Relieved pain.
• Adequate protection from future damage.

Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy

There are several symptoms and signs that could point towards you needing root canal therapy in Forest. The most common symptom that patients experience are severe toothaches caused by infected pulp. However, there are other signs you can look out for, including:

• Extreme temperature sensitivity.
• Pain while biting down.
• Swelling and redness on your gums near your damaged tooth.
• A pimple-like bump on your gums near your damaged tooth.

At the first sight of any of these symptoms, contact us immediately. At Crossroads Family Dentistry, we offer fast and effective emergency dental care. If you’re in severe pain, we’ll also offer you over-the-phone first-aid guidance to help relieve any discomfort you may be feeling. We do everything we can to work with your schedule and make sure you get the urgent treatment you need as soon as you need it.

Root Canal FAQs

Now that you’re a little more well-informed about the basics of root canal therapy, it’s time to address some of the questions you undoubtedly have. That’s why we’ve collected some of the root canal questions that we get asked the most often and answered them below for your convenience. If you still have a question about the treatment, feel free to just give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help!

How Can I Prevent the Need for Another Root Canal in the Future?

While you have nothing to fear about getting a root canal in Forest, it’s best to avoid infection or damage to your tooth altogether. This can be done by sticking to a few healthy habits, such as:

• Brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day for two minutes
• Flossing at least once daily
• Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash every day
• Visiting us for routine checkups and cleanings every six months
• Wearing a mouthguard during physical activity to protect your teeth from injury

Why Do I Need a Root Canal If My Tooth Isn’t Bothering Me?

In some cases, you might experience tooth pain that fades over time. Does this mean your infection has gone away? Usually, no. Just because the pain has dissipated doesn’t mean the infection is gone. Your body may have simply accommodated the infection enough to not have gone beyond your pain threshold. We’ll take detailed x-rays to determine if an infection is present and whether it warrants root canal treatment.

How Long Does a Root Canal Take?

This depends on the details of your individual procedure and what kind of tooth we’re treating. As a rule of thumb, the farther back in the mouth you go, the longer that root canal therapy will take to complete. We estimate that you’ll spend between one and two hours in the dental chair with us. More often than not, treatment can be completed in one appointment, with a second visit only needed a few weeks later to place your permanent restoration.

Are Root Canals Expensive?

Although root canal therapy might seem costly up front, consider the fact that saving your natural tooth is significantly less expensive than extracting and replacing it with a bridge or dental implant. The total cost of your root canal in Forest will also depend on your insurance coverage. Our friendly staff will work with you to help maximize your benefits before treatment. If you don’t have any dental insurance, we offer an in-house discount membership plan, and we accept CareCredit, a low-to-no interest financing plan that will allow you to receive the care you need while fitting into practically any budget.

How Do I Take Care of My Tooth After a Root Canal?

For a few days after your root canal, your tooth may be a little sore. This discomfort can be managed by taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or applying a cold compress to the outside of your mouth for up to 20 minutes at a time. We also recommend that you avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until the pain subsides. If we place a temporary crown, stay away from chewing particularly hard or sticky foods on that side of your mouth, as you could damage or dislodge the crown.