Root Canals: What to Expect, Benefits & Recovery Steps

Your Best Option For Restoring Infected Teeth

If you’ve got an aching, painful tooth that’s not getting better, you may have a tooth infection. And if that’s the case, a root canal in Eastpointe, MI from Lakeshore Dental Specialists is just what you need. Led by Dr. Whitney Weiner, our dentists can restore your tooth, get you out of pain, and protect your tooth for years to come.

But how do you know if you really need a root canal? What happens during the process? And how much does it cost? You’ve got questions, and in this guide to root canal therapy, the team at Lakeshore Dental Specialists will help you learn everything you need to know about this procedure.

What Is A Root Canal, And Why Would I Need One?

Root canal therapy, usually called just a “root canal” for short, is a treatment that’s used to restore infected teeth. In this procedure, your dentist at Lakeshore Dental Specialists will clean up the tooth, open it up to remove the source of the infection, and then cover it up with a filling or a crown to protect your tooth from further damage.

Root canals are necessary when you have an infected tooth. Tooth infections happen when the outer layers of your tooth are damaged by dental trauma or extensive tooth decay (cavities). When this happens, the “pulp” inside your tooth becomes exposed to bacteria and becomes infected.

The pulp is filled with the blood vessels and nerves that keep your tooth alive. When it becomes infected, the tooth will slowly begin to deteriorate, and will usually cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort, too. If left untreated, the tooth will eventually die.

With a root canal, though, a dentist from Lakeshore Dental Specialists can remove the infection, restore your tooth, and keep it in great shape for years to come. Root canals are the fastest, simplest, and most affordable way to treat infected teeth.

Recognizing The Signs Of An Infected Tooth

Not sure if you have an infected tooth and need root canal therapy in Eastpointe, MI? Only a dentist can diagnose your condition, but there are a few signs that indicate that it may be a good idea to schedule a visit at Lakeshore Dental Specialists:

• A painful, throbbing toothache that keeps getting worse
• Pain and discomfort when chewing and biting
• Sensitivity to heat and cold
• Jaw stiffness and soreness near the tooth
• Visibly inflamed, red, or tender gums near the tooth
• Obvious black, brown, gray, or dark tooth discoloration
• Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth

The Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy

• Eliminate your pain – Tooth infections can be seriously painful. If you have an infected tooth, you may have a hard time focusing on work, school, or your personal life. A root canal eliminates this pain in just one visit.
• Protect and preserve your tooth – With a root canal, you can save your tooth even if it’s infected. Usually, the only other option for treating an infected tooth is pulling it and replacing it with a false tooth like a partial denture, bridge, or a dental implant. These treatments are much more complex and costly and don’t allow you to keep your natural tooth, either.
• Get peace of mind – A painful tooth can cause you a lot of anxiety if you don’t get treatment. You’ll always be wondering what’s causing your issue and worrying about future complications. But once you get a root canal, you can get to the bottom of the issue, relax, and stop feeling anxious about your oral health.

Root Canal Cost, Insurance Coverage, And Payment Options

The cost can vary depending on the location of your tooth, the severity of the infection, and lots of other factors. Your dentist at Lakeshore Dental Specialists can provide you with an accurate quote for your treatment after your visit.

Worried about the cost of treatment? There’s good news. Root canal therapy is almost always covered by dental insurance up to any applicable plan limits. At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, we can check your plan to make sure you get all of the benefits that you’re entitled to.

We also offer Sunbit financing at Lakeshore Dental Specialists. This allows you to split your treatment costs into affordable monthly payments that fit into your budget. Ask our team about how to apply and finance your dental treatment costs during your visit!

Your Step-By-Step Guide To The Root Canal Procedure

Wondering what to do before a root canal, or what to expect from the root canal process? It’s pretty simple, and it usually takes only 60-90 minutes for Dr. Weiner or one of our other dentists to restore your smile with root canal therapy.

Diagnosing your tooth

First, your dentist at Lakeshore Dental Specialists will examine your tooth and take X-rays. They will determine whether or not you have an infected tooth, diagnose the full extent of your tooth infection, and prepare for your root canal accordingly.

Numbing and tooth prep

Next, your dentist will prepare you for treatment. They will clean and numb the treatment area. We also offer sedation options at Lakeshore Dental Specialists for your comfort, including IV sedation. This is a great option if you’re nervous about the procedure.

Opening and cleaning your tooth

Once your mouth is numb, your dentist will trim away any damaged tooth material and create a small opening in your tooth. Then, they will use tiny dental tools to clean out the inside of your tooth, removing any decayed or damaged pulp and other tooth material.

Sanitizing and restoring your tooth

After cleaning your tooth completely, your dentist will flush it with a sanitizing rinse. Then, they will check it one last time before filling it up with an inert, rubbery material called “gutta-percha” and placing a temporary filling or crown on top of your tooth. Then, you’ll be sent home after you schedule a follow-up for a permanent porcelain crown.

Follow-up for a permanent crown

Porcelain crowns are the best long-term option for covering up teeth after a root canal. You will typically need to come to our office twice over a 2-3 week period so that your dentist can fit you for your crown, design it, order it, and then finally place your permanent crown over your tooth to restore it.

How Should I Care For My Tooth After A Root Canal?

Root canals have no major downtime. You can usually get back to your daily routine immediately. Your tooth may feel a little bit sore for a few days, but this is normal. If you still experience severe discomfort after 3-4 days, it’s possible that some of the infection may still remain, and you may need to schedule a follow-up with your dentist.

If you have a temporary filling or crown covering your tooth after a root canal, the main thing you’ll want to do is avoid chewing extremely gummy and sticky foods. These can pull out your temporary restoration, requiring you to make another visit to your referring dentist to have it replaced.

Got A Sore Tooth? Come To Lakeshore Dental Specialists Today

If you need a root canal in Eastpointe, MI, our dental team are here to help. We offer expert care in a relaxing environment, and we even offer sedation options including IV sedation to ensure your comfort. So don’t wait, and don’t let your infected tooth get worse. Give us a call at (586) 777-0260 or book your first visit online to get out of pain and get back to your normal daily routine.