Do you have sensitive teeth or chronic tooth pain? Have you noticed a change in the color of a tooth? Out dental care team can treat the signs of dental infection with a root canal procedure at Coastal General Dentistry.
Patients with infected teeth typically experience tooth pain, sensitivity when biting or chewing, and even tooth stains. If you have noticed these symptoms, please contact our office for an appointment. You can preserve your natural tooth with root canal treatments near you. We do not provide root canals in our office, but partner with other dentists to restore your tooth after a root canal procedure.
Dentists provide this general dental treatment to remove dental infections and clean the interior tooth chamber. A root canal procedure will remove the infected dental pulp from within a tooth. Nerves, blood vessels, and cells make up the dental pulp. Once a bacterial infection reaches the pulp, it can cause significant discomfort.
Root Canal Treatment in Virginia Beach, VA
An endodontist will repair and save a decayed and infected tooth during a root canal treatment. In a single visit, he can remove the nerve, infected pulp, and any decay from the inside of the affected tooth.
First, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the mouth. The dentist may also use dental sedation for pain-free care. Then, the endodontist makes a small hole in the back of the tooth. Through this hole, he can access the tooth chamber or the inside of the tooth.
Next, he will use special dental tools to remove the infected tooth pulp from the inner chamber and the root canal. The dentist gently shapes out and cleans the inside chamber before sealing it.
Then, your endodontist will fill the tooth chamber with gutta-percha, a composite material. This fills in the space to seal the chamber and root canals. They will apply sealant to help prevent further damage or infection and place a permanent filling over the opening.
Composite and porcelain fillings are best for patients who want fillings that match their natural smile color. Your dentist may also provide patients with a dental crown or cap to restore the tooth to full functionality. Crowns are porcelain ceramic caps that we color-match to blend in with the shade of your natural tooth enamel.
Lastly, the dentist will provide instructions for at-home post-treatment care. This may include taking over-the-counter pain medication. Be sure to avoid hard and chewy foods and sugary drinks after a root canal procedure. Avoiding these foods will help the tooth heal properly.
Root Canal Therapy FAQs
Discover more about the root canal procedure as we answer the following common questions.
Is the root canal procedure painful?
No, root canal treatment is not painful. The procedure will relieve the pain that you are already feeling from a damaged or infected tooth. Modern dental care advancements make root canal procedures far less uncomfortable than they were in the past.
Additionally, your dentist will use anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. We ensure that patients feel comfortable during their root canal procedure. We can even use dental sedation if you request it.
Will dental insurance cover the cost of my root canal procedure?
Dental insurance plans vary, so it depends on the specific terms and coverage of your insurance policy. Most dental insurance plans cover at least part of the cost of a root canal procedure. We recommend reviewing your dental insurance policy or contacting your insurance provider directly.
You can also give us a call and ask our trained dental care team about your financing options. We can help you determine your coverage, and also offer dental financing options.
Do I need a crown after my root canal?
Some patients may need a filling and a crown after their root canal treatment. We recommend dental crowns for patients if they have worn or weakened teeth. A dental crown will cap the treated tooth after a root canal to better protect it from further damage. Crowns create a more even bite and provide durability to the smile.
How long does it take to recover from a root canal treatment?
It will typically take a week or less for patients to recover from their root canal procedure. Your dentist may prescribe pain medication to minimize your discomfort during the healing process. If you notice severe pain or discomfort that does not go away after a week, please contact our office. We will be here for you if you have concerns during your healing.
Get a Root Canal Procedure Near You Today
Are you noticing changes in your oral health? Do you think you may have infected teeth? Contact Coastal General Dentistry for endodontics care and other common dental procedures at 757-216-9914.
You may also schedule a dental appointment with our dental team online. If you have further questions about root canal treatment, please let us know, and we will be happy to help.