If you have a tooth that hurts, you might need root canal therapy. Getting a root canal doesn't have to be a frightening experience. It can also be one of the best solutions to save your damaged tooth and stop it from hurting. The compassionate and experienced staff at Miller Family Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, know how to make your root canal procedure go smoothly for long-lasting success.
What is a Root Canal?
As an endodontic dental treatment, a root canal removes the nerve artery and vein inside the tooth. The canal space is enlarged to remove all remaining tissue and shaped so that the space can be filled to the very end of the tooth. Special care is taken to find all the canals in the tooth so no diseased tissue will be left behind. Root canals are a great way to save teeth and stop the pain or sensitivity of teeth. It is usually done in one appointment with minimal discomfort during and after the appointment.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy may be necessary for a number of reasons:
- Decay inside your tooth has reached the nerve of the tooth
- Trauma has exposed your tooth's nerve
- The tooth's nerve has died due to chewing trauma
- The tooth's nerve has died because of an old, deep filling
- Your tooth has had multiple fillings, causing the nerve to die
The symptoms are usually sensitivity to temperature (hot or cold) or discomfort when chewing. Sometimes, the tooth just hurts.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
When you come to Miller Family Dentistry for root canal treatment in Nashville, we will first administer local anesthesia to numb the area of your mouth where we will be working. We place a rubber dam in your mouth to isolate the tooth. Then, we create an opening into the area where the nerve is, and we carefully remove the nerve. Special files are used to remove what is left of the nerve and to shape the canals so that all soft tissue and diseased tooth structure can be removed. We then pack a soft material into the space to create a 3D canal fill. Finally, a filling is placed to fill the opening that we made.
Is a Root Canal Painful?
The pain you feel depends on how bad the tooth is when you come for treatment. If there is already a pain, there can be discomfort during and after the procedure.
If there is pain, the only other option is to extract the tooth. Extraction leaves a space in your mouth. We offer options for tooth replacement, but we try to save your natural teeth whenever possible.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of a Root Canal?
Yes. Insurance coverage is usually 80% of the maximum limit of your dental insurance plan.
Why Choose Miller Family Dentistry for Root Canal Therapy?
At our dental office, we will only treat teeth when we are certain it will be a successful treatment, and we believe your tooth will have excellent long-term success. There may be cases where we feel there will be a better outcome if treated by a specialist. In those cases, we will refer you to an endodontist. We want what is best for you and the longevity of your teeth.
Do You Have a Painful Tooth? Schedule an Appointment Today.
It's never a good idea to leave a painful tooth alone. The decay or infection inside your tooth could spread and cause more problems. Get your tooth examined and treated successfully at Miller Family Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee. We will tell you if you need a root canal, and in most cases, we can perform the procedure right here in our office. Schedule your next appointment with our dental office today!