Root canal & endodontics in Holyoke

How Do Root Canal Surgeries Help?

Root canals remove the damaged dental pulp, preventing permanent harm to the tooth and eliminating the source of your pain.

When Do I Need a Dental Root Canal?

When you have dental pain, it’s always important to seek the professional help of our experienced dentists. It’s even more critical to see a dentist when you experience the typical symptoms associated with infected or damaged tooth pulp. Our dentist will assess your dental health and determine whether dental root canal treatment is necessary. Some of the symptoms you should watch for include:

• Continuous tooth pain, whether moderate or severe.
• Tooth pain that keeps you up at night.
• Tooth pain that intensifies when you bite down, chew food or otherwise put pressure on the area.
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages. This pain tends to linger long after the exposure to the hot or cold food.
• Inflamed or swollen gums near the affected tooth.

We’re here to help you get the pain relief and treatment you need, so call our office if you experience any of these warning signs.

Does My Dentist Perform Root Canals?

General dentists are qualified to perform root canals, although if you need retreatment or if you have a complex case, you may be referred to a specialist. This specialist is called an endodontist. An endodontist has two to three years of special training in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the inside of a tooth. In addition to root canals, endodontists are qualified to treat traumatic tooth injuries. They also often perform dental implant procedures. If you need a root canal dentist, call us today. We’re experienced in connecting you with the provider who can best treat your condition.

What Can I Expect During My Treatment?

Contrary to popular lore, root canals are usually simple, painless procedures. Most root canals can be completed in an hour or two, and your dentist will completely numb your tooth before beginning the procedure. Once your tooth is numb, the following steps will occur:

• A latex dental dam is fitted around your tooth to keep debris, fluid and bacteria from reaching your tooth during the procedure.
• A tiny hole is made in the top of your tooth’s crown to allow your dentist access to the pulp chamber and root canals.
• Your dentist removes the pulp tissue and cleans and shapes the root canals.
• Root canals and the pulp chamber are flushed with an antibacterial fluid to ensure that the area is completely free of bacteria and debris.
• Gutta-percha, a biocompatible substance that is the consistency of rubber is used to fill your empty root canals and seal them from bacteria.
• A crown is used to cap the tooth, providing extra protection and support for your repaired tooth.

What Will I Pay for Root Canals?

Costs vary widely for root canals, depending on factors such as how deeply damaged your tooth is, the number of roots in your tooth and what needs to be done to prepare your tooth for the root canal procedure. Your overall root canal cost is also affected by whether you have dental insurance and whether that insurance plan covers part of the cost of the procedure. Our dentists will give you a more clear-cut estimate once a comprehensive evaluation of your tooth is complete. Call us today to schedule your exam and for more information about the expected costs of root canals.

What Types of Root Canals Are Performed?

Of all the root canals performed, the molar root canal is the most common, but any tooth can be treated with this procedure. For teeth that become infected after previous treatment, your dentist may either remove the previous root canal crown to access the infected tissue or drill directly through the crown. Apicoectomies are also effective alternatives for teeth with prior root canals. During this procedure, the endodontist makes a small incision at the base of the tooth along the gum. The root’s tip and any infected tissue around the root are removed, and the root tip is sealed to prevent bacteria from re-entering the tooth roots.

In some cases, your child’s dentist may recommend a pediatric pulpotomy instead of root canal treatment. In these procedures, the dentist removes the infected tooth pulp, leaving the tooth’s nerve intact.

Will I Have Pain After Treatment?

Sometimes, you may have a bit of post-procedure discomfort that can be eased with over-the-counter pain relievers. This discomfort is minimal compared to the unrelenting pain of an infected tooth. Don’t wait to get relief for your tooth pain. Call us to discuss your options for a root canal in Holyoke.