We are open - safety is our top priority!
What Is a Root Canal?
Injuries or infections of the soft tissue inside your tooth can lead to severe pain caused by pressure on nerve endings inside this area, which is called the pulp of the tooth. This pain can potentially be debilitating and can cause you to lose sleep or miss work. At Forever Family Dental of New Lenox, we can perform a root canal to remove the pulp and nerve endings in your tooth and to provide you with relief from pain and stabilize your tooth for improved dental health.
When Are Root Canals Necessary?
Root canals are usually recommended for serious infections of the roots of the tooth or the pulp inside the outer shell of enamel. Some of the symptoms our dentists will look for in determining whether root canals may be appropriate include the following:
- Severe tooth pain or moderate to severe pain that persists for an extended period of time
- Extreme sensitivity to pressure, heat or cold in the area of the affected tooth
- Visible or deep cavities in the tooth
- Discoloration of the tooth enamel
- Sudden or unexplained swellings in the gums around the tooth
These are all indications that a tooth is in trouble and may require a dental root canal.
What Types of Dentists Perform Root Canals?
The dentists at Forever Family Dental of New Lenox are qualified to perform nearly all types of root canals. Standard root canals typically require one to two hours in our office. If your case is complex or has aspects that require the services of a specialist, we can also provide you with a referral to an endodontist or root canal dentist. These dental professionals have advanced training in endodontics, which is the study and treatment of conditions affecting the pulp and interior structures of the tooth.
How Are Root Canals Performed?
A root canal procedure typically requires some simple steps to complete successfully:
A thorough examination of your teeth will be performed to ensure that this procedure is an appropriate choice for you.
Your tooth and the area around it will be treated with numbing agents to prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure.
- Our dentists will isolate the area of the tooth with shields to prevent contamination of the site.
- A small opening will be drilled in the crown of the tooth to provide access to the pulp and interior spaces.
- All pulp will be removed from the inside of your tooth. We will use specialized instruments to scrape and shape the inside of the tooth and the root canals.
- The entire area will be flushed with a fluid to disinfect and clear away any particles or pockets of infected materials.
- Gutta-percha will be used to fill in the space left after pulp and nerve endings have been removed. This is a rubbery material that offers superior resilience in supporting your tooth from the inside.
- In most cases, you will receive a root canal crown to prevent damage when biting and chewing.
Our dentists will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your tooth after your procedure is complete. This will help you to enjoy the best possible dental health now and in the future.
How Much Is the Root Canal Cost?
If the root canal cost is a concern, Forever Family Dental of New Lenox accepts most dental insurance plans. Root canals are considered to be therapeutic and not cosmetic under nearly all plans, which will ensure that your treatment is covered to the fullest extent possible. We also work with many discount dental programs to keep your out-of-pocket costs low. Our team can design affordable payment options and plans that suit your needs and help you manage the cost of a root canal or other emergency dental services in New Lenox.
Types of Root Canals
The dental team at Forever Family Dental of New Lenox can perform your root canal right in our own office, which will allow you to enjoy the greatest confidence and the most effective treatments for pain and other issues with your teeth. We offer apicoectomy services for those who have had prior treatments that ultimately proved to be unsuccessful.
Our dental team is also qualified to perform pediatric pulpotomy procedures to remove infected or damaged pulp from baby teeth while leaving the nerve in place to ensure the proper growth and development of your child’s adult teeth.
Why Consider Dental Root Canal Treatment?
If you are currently experiencing severe pain that is affecting your ability to work, sleep, play or study, a root canal may resolve these issues and allow you to get back to the things that really matter. Give Forever Family Dental of New Lenox a call today at (815) 410-1206 to discuss your symptoms or to schedule an emergency appointment with our dentists. We look forward to the chance to serve you.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs. Pay for the costs of many treatments and procedures through convenient monthly payments.
