Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy

At Dr Christopher J. Fotinos Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we offer patients root canal therapy. A root canal can often save compromised or infected teeth that would otherwise have to be removed.

Each tooth's root system contains tissues and nerves that are responsible for delivering nutrients and blood supply to the tooth and keeping it alive. When tooth decay or trauma exposes this tissue, it can become infected and damaged, leading to the tooth's partial or complete death.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a procedure during which Dr Rosales or Dr Fotinos will completely remove the living and dead tissue from inside a compromised tooth. The tooth is then sterilized by cleaning out any bacteria or decay that's present. After the tooth is sterile, it is then filled with a dental material and sealed.

When Is a Root Canal Needed?

Although tooth pain and sensitivity can indicate the type of decay that might require a root canal, not every patient with these symptoms needs one. Root canal therapy is necessary in the following cases:

• Tooth decay has passed through the enamel and dentin to reach a tooth's pulp
• An abscess (infection) is present at the root's tip due to bacterial buildup inside the pulp
• An injury has exposed the tooth's pulp

What to Expect During a Root Canal Procedure

First, the patient is assessed in a consultation appointment to determine the severity of the pulp infection or injury and sometimes given antibiotics and ibuprofen two to three days prior to treatment to calm the infection and inflammation and help with post-op healing and sensitivity.

At the treatment appointment, anesthetic is applied to numb the area and no pain is experienced during treatment. A small opening will then be made in the tooth from which the pulp will be removed. The tooth roots are instrumented and flushed with a special solution to remove debris and infected tissue and then sterilized.

The tooth roots are then filled and sealed and a temporary filling is placed. After waiting about one week for healing, composite material and/or a dental post is added to the tooth for foundation strength and a crown is prepared and bonded to the tooth which finalizes the treatment.

Is a Root Canal Painful?

The idea that a root canal is painful is actually a myth. Most of the pain associated with a root canal comes from the infection that's present in the tooth — the infection which the root canal procedure will ultimately resolve.

During a root canal, a patient won't experience any pain because a strong anesthetic will be administered prior to beginning the procedure. This is truly a painless procedure.

If a patient experiences any pain, swelling, or tenderness following treatment (which is rare), over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen will typically provide adequate relief.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

The cost of a root canal ultimately depends on the type of tooth being treated, the extent of a patient's infection, the amount of work that needs to be done, and the patient's dental plan. Most dental insurance policies will cover root canal expenses, and our office staff is happy to work with patients to determine the procedural costs before a root canal appointment.

For more information about root canal therapy, we welcome you to contact our office.

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