A root canal is a dental procedure that relieves pain and infection while saving your natural tooth. It is the treatment of infected tooth pulp -- the soft tissue inside your teeth containing nerves and blood vessels.

Without a timely treatment, a tooth may require extraction and replacement such as an implant or bridge. But a root canal in Louisville KY and Florence can alleviate your toothache and save your tooth.

Cost

Root canals louisville ky are a dental procedure that saves infected tooth pulp tissue (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels). Infection or damage to this area of the tooth can occur due to deep decay, cracked teeth, gum disease or injury. The infected pulp tissue is removed, disinfected and filled with a rubber-like material called gutta percha to prevent further infection. The resulting restoration will save the tooth and alleviate pain.

Most major dental insurance plans cover at least some of the cost of a root canal, depending on the provider and plan coverage level. The costs of a root canal with or without insurance can range from $600 to $2000+.

You can help prevent a root canal by practicing good oral hygiene, eating healthy, getting regular dental exams with your family dentist and wearing a mouthguard when playing sports. Those who have existing root canals should maintain proper care with regular brushing, flossing and use of an antibacterial mouthwash.

Symptoms

Root canals treat infected tooth pulp, reducing the risk for infection and saving the natural tooth. The treatment can also prevent more invasive treatments like dental implants or bridges.

Symptoms of a root canal include lingering pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, gum swelling, and a darkening of the tooth. The pain could feel sharp or dull, and it may linger even when you aren’t chewing. Pus drainage from the affected tooth is another symptom that could indicate a root canal infection.

Root canals louisville ky are often necessary when a basic cavity becomes infected and reaches the tooth’s pulp. If the bacteria aren’t treated, it can lead to a more serious health problem and cause other teeth to decay or break. The procedure might sound scary, but it’s actually no different than having a deep filling. The dentist will numb the tooth and gums before performing the treatment. It is worth the effort to save a tooth and prevent more serious health problems.

Treatment

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment or therapy, is a dental procedure to help save a tooth with inflamed or infected pulp tissue. Damage to the tooth’s pulp tissue can occur due to deep decay, cracks or chips in the teeth, faulty crowns or repeated dental procedures. Left untreated, this can lead to tooth pain or infection of the surrounding bone.

The root canal removes the infected or damaged tissue, cleans and disinfects the area, and fills it to prevent further infection and restore function to the tooth. After the procedure, the tooth may feel sensitive or tender for a few days, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Despite the myths associated with root canal treatments, they are a safe and effective way to treat an infected tooth without extraction. Patients who opt to skip this treatment can face serious oral health complications, including the need for a bridge or dental implant.

Recovery

Root canals relieve severe tooth pain, reduce bacteria to prevent further decay, and restore a damaged natural tooth. This treatment allows patients to avoid the cost and discomfort of extraction and replacement.

While root canals louisville ky are known to be a painful procedure, advances in dental technology and local anesthesia make them much less uncomfortable than in the past. Most patients compare the sensation to getting a standard filling. After the procedure, you may experience slight soreness and sensitivity to hot or cold foods, but this can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers or medication we prescribe.

The most common causes of a root canal include a deep cavity that can't be treated with a filling, cracks and chips from physical trauma or accident, or teeth grinding. These injuries can lead to infection that reaches the pulp of the tooth and prevents the nerve from sending pain signals to your brain. If left untreated, the infection can cause the death of the tooth.