Endodontist, Root Canal Rosenberg Tx
Visiting the dentist because you are in pain is never a fun experience, but with the right treatment and aftercare, your routine can go back to normal with no more tooth pain and a perfectly healthy set of teeth. Whatever the problem might be, your dentist will work diligently to solve the cause of your tooth pain and get you back to normal. Here at Grand Parkway Smiles, we have specialist dentists in all areas of dentistry who specialize in their field. One of these is an endodontist who specializes in root canal treatment. Root canal treatment is a very common procedure that is performed around 15 million times per year in the US, but not many people know what it is and why it needs to be done.
On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about endodontists, root canal procedures in Rosenberg TX and tips for aftercare. Let’s get started!
Root Canal Cost
Anterior Root Canal $918.00
Bicuspid Root Canal $1033.00
Molar Root Canal $1249.00
If financial considerations prevent you from getting the dental care you need, ask us about our affordable dental financing plans! (Prices above reflect options for our Cash Patients)
What is an endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist who has specialized in endodontics. Endodontics can be described as the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases and infections within the tooth itself, in the soft tissue that exists there. Endodontics takes further training than regular dentistry and is a crucial part of modern dentistry. Endodontists perform delicate procedures that involve dividing a tooth in half, removing teeth or repairing teeth with damaged soft tissues inside. The most common of these procedures is a root canal procedure. This requires meticulous precision and years of training to learn.
If you have an infection inside your tooth that needs to be treated, you will be referred to an endodontist. Your endodontist will perform x-rays on your teeth, examine your teeth thoroughly and discuss treatment options with you. An endodontist, by performing a root canal procedure, can help save a tooth that might otherwise have to be removed completely.
When do I need a root canal procedure?
You need a root canal surgery if there is an infection in the dental pulp of your tooth. How do you know if you need a root canal procedure? Here are some of the symptoms of an infected tooth.
- Pain. The number one symptom of a badly infected tooth is constant pain in a very concentrated area, i.e in a single tooth. Not all tooth pain means you will need a root canal; other issues can make your tooth hurt, such as a cracked tooth, eroded enamel or a gum infection. However, if you have a persistent pain in a single tooth, you should see a dentist immediately; it is likely there is an infection that requires treatment. Infections, when left untreated, can spread and become very dangerous for your health.
- Your tooth is changing color. Discoloration can occur for many reasons, for example inadequate brushing, plaque buildup or regular smoking. Across-the-board yellow discoloration can be treated with whitening gels and isn’t a health risk. However, if you have a single tooth that is changing color from white to grey or black, this is cause for concern. This can mean that your tooth is rotting inside and needs endodontic treatment.
- Your tooth has been recently chipped and is beginning to hurt. One common cause of an infection inside your tooth is a chip. Chipping your tooth and leaving it untreated or uncovered can lead to bacteria getting into the soft tissue of your tooth’s interior. This bacteria can cause a nasty infection that requires root canal to solve it.
- Inflamed gums. Your gums can become inflamed for a multitude of reasons. These include poor brushing, plaque buildup, allergic reaction, gum disease or teeth moving. However, a red, sore, inflamed gum in a specific area around one tooth could be the result of an internal infection.
What happens during & after root canal treatment?
If you have any of these symptoms and are told by your dentist that you need root canal treatment, you might be wondering how the root canal procedure works and what to expect. Root canal involves an endodontist removing the infected tissue from the inside of your tooth, in order for the tooth to be able to heal. The tooth is then filled and covered, sometimes with a crown. If the endodontist sees no way to repair the tooth, your tooth could be extracted during a root canal procedure – although in most cases, the tooth can be repaired.
After your root canal procedure, your tooth will need to be carefully monitored and taken care of. You must avoid eating hard foods until your treatment is totally finished, and continue brushing your teeth diligently. You shouldn’t feel much pain after the treatment, and if you do, you should contact your dentist.
Root canal retreatment
After your root canal treatment, there is a chance you may have to have a root canal retreatment. This could be weeks, months or even years after the original treatment took place. While many teeth treated with root canal stay healthy and free of infection for the rest of the patient’s life, some root canal procedures need retreatment due to poor upkeep of tooth hygiene after the original procedure, or because your tooth simply did not heal as it was expected to by your endodontist. Nobody can predict how your particular tooth will heal after the procedure, and every case is different – so if you need root canal retreatment, it is likely the result of an unexpected issue in the healing process.
If this is the case, during a root canal retreatment procedure your endodontist will reopen the tooth and remove the infection inside. Many retreated teeth last for life after the procedure is completed; if there are recurring problems with the healing process of a tooth, your endodontist might advise that the tooth be extracted altogether. Extraction is always the last resort; before deciding to extract, your endodontist will exhaust all retreatment options. It is healthier to keep the natural tooth if possible, although an implant replacement tooth can function very well too.
Root canal microsurgery apicoectomy
One of the options that your endodontist will consider when performing a root canal retreatment is a root canal microsurgery apicoectomy. During the first root canal procedure, your endodontist will clean the canals in your tooth’s root that allow the nerves and blood vessels in the tooth to remove any infection. These canals are vital for the health of your tooth, hence why the infection inside the tooth can cause such bad issues for the tooth.
However, even after root canal treatment, some infected tissue could remain in tiny branches that stem from the root canal. This is one of the factors that can contribute to a necessary root canal retreatment. During a microsurgery apicoectomy, your endodontist might use an operational microscope to perform this precise and complex procedure. A root canal microsurgery apicoectomy involves the endodontist removing the apex, which refers to the tip of the tooth root, and filling it in with a special material that replaces its structure. This removes any tiny fragments of infection and helps your tooth heal properly.
How do I know if I need a root canal apicoectomy or root canal retreatment?
When it comes to figuring out the best course of action if your tooth becomes reinfected, it is best to discuss with one of our dentists here in Rosenberg TX. With a reinfected tooth after root canal treatment, you will experience similar symptoms that you experienced when your tooth was infected before the initial treatment. After you have had a root canal treatment, it is important to pay special attention to how the tooth feels in the weeks, months and even years after the treatment.
If you experience infection symptoms and visit your dentist, they will take x-ray pictures of your tooth, as well as asking questions about your routine, eating, symptoms and the original root canal treatment you underwent. You may then be referred to an endodontist who will discuss your retreatment options and decide what is best, based on the findings from the x-rays and their conversation with you, the patient.
3 tips for preparing for a root canal treatment if you are anxious
If your endodontist confirms that you need a root canal treatment, you might be worried or anxious about the procedure. Even though root canal treatment is very safe and very common, most people feel a little uneasy about a dental procedure of this nature. Here are three tips for preparing for your root canal treatment.
- Ask lots of questions to your endodontist.
You might have a million questions spinning around your brain, particularly if you have never had a serious dental procedure before. If you have any burning questions, ask your endodontist. They will be able to answer honestly and give you expert advice.
- Bring somebody with you to the procedure if you are particularly anxious.
Although root canal is done under local anaesthetic, meaning that you will not be put to sleep for the procedure, some people prefer to bring a friend or family member to help stay calm.
Endodontist Root Canal FAQs
How long does a root canal take?
Root canal is usually completed in one appointment that lasts about an hour. This depends on the severity of your infection and other factors that might contribute to the length of the procedure.
What happens if I’m too late for the root canal treatment?
If your infection is not treated in time, this can lead to your tooth turning grey/black and dying completely. In this case, extracting the tooth is the only option. Your tooth can then be replaced with a dental implant that is screwed into your jaw bone and acts just like a natural tooth!
Can I be put to sleep for root canal treatment?
At Grand Parkway Smiles we offer Iv sedation to our anxious dental patients. If you are not nervous and there are no extenuating circumstances, you will be given a local anaesthetic for your root canal procedure. This means you will be awake, but your endodontist will inject a powerful numbing agent into your mouth, so you won’t feel anything in the area being worked on.
Does a root canal procedure hurt?
You should not feel any pain during your root canal procedure. Afterwards, your tooth will likely feel much better than it did before when it was infected and painful. You might feel some sensitivity for a few days afterward.
What is the success rate of a root canal procedure?
According to data from the UK, around eight out of nine root canal procedures last up to ten years! The success of your root canal will depend on how well your tooth heals after the procedure.
How much does root canal cost?
The price of your root canal treatment will depend on your insurance plan, age and other factors. Here at Grand Parkway Smiles we offer a bespoke payment plan that is suitable for any income level. Contact us for more information on payments and financing.
How can I prevent getting a root canal treatment?
Taking good care of your teeth can help decrease your chances of needing root canal treatment. Some instances are unavoidable, such as an injury like a chipped tooth that can lead to needing a root canal procedure. However, brushing your teeth regularly and thoroughly, flossing, giving up smoking and seeing a dentist for regular checkups will all reduce the risk of a tooth infection.
Call Us To Learn More About Root Canal Treatment
If you are local to Rosenberg TX and want to see an endodontist about a root canal treatment, contact us today on 832-222-0016 to speak to a friendly member of our team! Here at Grand Parkway Smiles we are proud to work with a specialist endodontist, Dr. Sara Gomez, who is working with our root canal patients on transforming their tooth health for life!