Root Canal & Endodontics in Green Bay

A Root Canal Overview

Let's start with the basics. The first step to getting over the fear of a root canal is knowing what it is. Basically, this is an operation that dentists do to remove tissue from within your tooth that has become infected. Since the infected tissue can cause a lot of pain, having it removed is a good way to improve your quality of life.

How does the tissue within the tooth become infected? Typically, it happens as a result of a bad cavity. Bacteria can reach the tissue within a tooth through any entry point, leading to an infection. This means that simply cracking your tooth can create an entry point and eventually lead to you needing endodontic treatment.

Once an infection sets in, you only have two options to remove it. You can either have the tooth completely removed or have endodontic treatment to remove the infected tissue. Most dentists prefer to do endodontic treatment as opposed to removing the tooth.

How to Know That You Need a Root Canal Procedure

The good news is that you don't have to determine if you need dental root canal treatment. That is a task that your dentist has to do for you. If you keep up with regular dental visits, your dentist will tell you if you need treatment or not. In most cases, though, people who see their dentists regularly won't need this type of operation.

That said, you can look out for some signs that might indicate that you need to visit your dentist. The most common symptom is pain. It's important to remember that pain is an indication that something in your body is wrong. When you feel pain in your tooth, something isn't right. It might not mean that you need to visit a root canal dentist, but it's better to be safe.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a lot of pain in a tooth, you should reach out to us right away. We will perform an oral exam and determine the cause. If you need endodontic treatment, we can set up an appointment for you.

The Steps of a Dental Root Canal

While having this type of procedure might seem daunting, you should rest assured that it's pretty commonplace. There are only a few steps and, in most cases, it's done within a couple of hours. Also, the recovery is a breeze!

The operation starts with preparing the tooth and creating an entry point in the top. It's from this point that the dentist will use special tools to remove the infected tissue. The dentist will also use a disinfecting fluid to clean the interior of your tooth. At the same time, this fluid will wash away any debris that couldn't be removed with the tools.

From there, your dentist will fill your tooth with gutta-percha. This is basically a dental-safe rubber substance that is used to fill a tooth after endodontic treatment. With the substance in place, your dentist will cap your tooth with a root canal crown. Like a traditional crown, it is meant to provide strength to your tooth and ensure that it functions like normal.

What About the Root Canal Cost?

Beyond being scared of the actual procedure, many people fear how much endodontic treatment will cost. The good news is that the surgery is more affordable than you may think. While removing the tooth is often cheaper, paying for endodontic treatment is usually still affordable. This is especially true if you have dental insurance because most policies cover at least some of the cost.

If you are still worried about the price, call our dental office. We can figure out an estimate of how much this surgery will cost you.

Give Us a Call to Learn More

Do you have more questions about having a root canal? If so, feel free to contact us. Our friendly staff will answer any questions you may have. Don't wait to relieve that pain in your tooth. Call us so that we can get rid of it today.