Dentures
Root Canals in Shakopee, MN
Even with the best oral care, including professional cleanings and an excellent at-home routine of flossing and brushing, your teeth may become damaged, and the only option is to undergo a root canal treatment. This treatment is safe and highly effective at saving the natural tooth, boasting an impressive success rate of up to 97%.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. It’s performed when the pulp, which is the soft area of the tooth composed of nerves and blood vessels in the tooth, becomes infected or damaged. When the pulp is damaged, it breaks down, and bacteria multiply within the pulp chamber, resulting in an infection or an abscessed tooth.
During root canal therapy, the pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. The tooth will remain functional since the only function of the pulp in a mature tooth is to provide sensations of hot and cold.
Your tooth’s pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, large or leaky fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or damage to teeth due to trauma, such as a hard fall. Signs you may need root canal treatment include:
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Swelling of the gum near the affected tooth
- Pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drink
- Pus oozing from the affected tooth
- A swollen cheek or jaw
- Darkening tooth
Endodontics Diagnosis and Treatment
Here’s what you can expect when you come in for a root canal treatment at Kuhr Dental Group:
- Exam, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning: The first step in the procedure is to perform a general examination and take dental X-rays to determine the extent of the infection, reach a diagnosis, and create a treatment plan.
- Root Canal Therapy: Before the procedure, we will use a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and the area around the affected tooth. Dr. Kuhr will then drill down to the root canal to remove the diseased pulp and clean out all the pathways (canals) in your tooth. We’ll then disinfect the canals and pulp chamber to remove all traces of bacteria and fill and seal the tooth to prevent further infection or damage.
- Aftercare and Recovery: Root canal recovery typically lasts less than a week. It’s important to look after your teeth when recovering from root canal treatment to prevent complications. You should follow the dentist’s instructions, and if an antibiotic is needed, be sure to finish the entire prescription. Also, avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the crown is placed.
Referral to an Endodontist If Necessary
Sometimes, to ensure you get the best care for your situation, we may need to refer you to an endodontist in Shakopee. This root canal specialist focuses on complex tooth problems primarily affecting tooth pulp.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
There are several benefits to undergoing a root canal treatment, such as:
- Eliminate the need for tooth extraction
- Ease the symptoms associated with an infected tooth
- Prevent infection from spreading to other teeth
- Reduce the risk of jawbone damage
- Restore normal tooth functions such as chewing
Root Canal Treatment Cost
The cost of root canal treatment varies depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the problem and which tooth is affected. In most cases, your dental insurance will cover all or a portion of this cost. It is important to find the right root canal dentist because treatment cost is often less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted and restored with an implant or bridge.
Schedule a Root Canal Appointment Today!
If you have tell-tale signs that you might need a root canal treatment, such as continuous tooth pain, increased sensitivity and tenderness, and swelling, Dr. Kuhr can help. Contact our Shakopee, MN, practice today to find out how we can help stop the pain and save your natural tooth with root canal treatment!