Root Canal Therapy
Your confident smile is our goal. To get it you’ll need healthy teeth and healthy gums, and you’ll need a dentist with cosmetic dentistry expertise – to get the shape, position, and color of your teeth just right for you. Whether you need porcelain veneers or a full-mouth restoration, Dr. Forbes and the team at Capital Dental Design in Richmond can help you every step of the way.
Root Canal Therapy in Richmond, VA
Root canal therapy is one of the most well known and most misunderstood dental procedures. Although the procedure was historically a very uncomfortable experience, advances in dental techniques as well as dental sedation options have made this common procedure minimally painful. If performed properly, a root canal should be as comfortable as restoring a cavity.
A root canal involves the removal of infected soft tissue (the pulp) from the canal of the affected tooth. If this infected tissue is not removed, you are at risk of an abscess developing, which can cause the infection to spread through your body. It is important to address this issue before the infection reaches this point.
Common signs that indicate a root canal may be necessary include:
- Severe pain while biting or chewing
- Cracked or chipped tooth
- Fever
- Swollen face or cheek
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pimples on the gums
- Tender or swollen gums
- Darkening or deep decay of the gums
- Lingering sensitivity to cold or hot
Although these signs often alert an individual to the fact that there is an issue, other times patients are asymptomatic. Among the many reasons for scheduling regular dental exams at least every six months is that doing so allows for a qualified dentist to review your oral health and potentially identify issues such as the need for a root canal in the early stages and correct the issue before it worsens.
To learn more about root canal therapy, please refer to the following, or schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve patients throughout Richmond and the surrounding area, including neighborhoods like Southampton, Stratford Hills, Westover Hills, Bon Air, Libbie and Grove, Church Hill, The Fan, Westham, Museum District, and Mooreland Farms.
At Capital Dental Design, we are committed to providing you with effective, considerate care and helping you get the bright, beautiful smile you have always wanted!
Your smile is a reflection of your personality. Call capital dental design Today.
804.320.8894
Root Canal Therapy Process
If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed previously and/or have a chipped or cracked tooth, schedule an appointment for an evaluation as soon as possible so Dr. Forbes can determine if the pulp is infected and root canal therapy is necessary, or if the issue can be resolved with a cavity.
If a root canal is necessary, the procedure begins by numbing the area near the tooth using local anesthesia. Dental sedation will also typically be given to ensure you experience minimal discomfort and are able to remain relaxed while the procedure is performed. Once you are comfortable, we will remove the infected pulp in the tooth, after which we will clean and disinfect the root canal system. Once cleaned, the area is filled with gutta-percha, a thermoplastic filling, which stabilizes and saves the tooth and ensures that no additional bacteria reaches the canal. Following this, a dental crown or other restoration procedure may be placed to ensure the strength of your tooth.
Aftercare Instructions
It is common for your tooth to feel a little tender for the first few days following your root canal but following the procedure you should not experience any pain or discomfort. Though very unlikely, it is possible for complications to develop following the procedure, so if you begin to feel any pressure, swelling or pain that persists following the procedure, contact our office as soon as possible.
Although root canal therapy will not require adhering to modifications in your oral hygiene practice, it may be possible that the reason the root canal was necessary in the first place is that you have not been taking proper care of your oral health. Make a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily and follow a balanced diet that is not overloaded with foods that are sugary or acidic. Additional steps you can take include drinking more water, especially after every meal and using a mouthwash and/or fluoride toothpaste.
Finally, the most important step you can take to preserve your oral health and avoid the need for procedures such as root canal therapy is to schedule a regular examination with us at least twice a year, or with greater regularity if you are at an increased risk of developing oral health issues. These visits ensure that Dr. Forbes can evaluate your oral health and identify issues before they develop into something worse. They also allow us to perform one of our three types of dental exams: a limited exam (for specific concerns), comprehensive exam (thorough examination of your overall oral health followed by treatment recommendations), or our signature exam, which includes the comprehensive exam as well as a full head and neck exam and ideas for a Digital Smile Design.
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Cost of Root Canal Therapy
Several factors will determine the total cost of root canal therapy. The severity of your infection and whether multiple procedures and appointments are necessary will have the biggest impact on treatment cost. Additional costs may be incurred if a dental crown or other restoration is needed, if dental sedation is necessary, and whether the procedure is covered (and if so, how much) by your dental insurance plan. Prior to scheduling any procedure, we will discuss the anticipated costs and answer any questions you have about billing.
If you are not covered under a dental insurance plan, or if you are simply interested in saving money, consider joining the Capital Dental Design Membership Plan. Although we make every effort to keep our services affordable for all patients, joining our membership plan allows us to save you even more money by covering the cost of preventive care such as cleanings, exams, and routine x-rays. We also offer discounts of 10-15% on other dental services offered at our clinic.
To learn more about our membership plan, payment options, or anticipated costs, contact our office.
Call Today to Schedule a Consultation
At Capital Dental Design in Richmond, one of the main things our patients love about us is that we are a patient-centered practice. We treat our patients like family, which means we take the time to understand who you are, your medical and oral health history, and your oral health goals, because doing so allows us to do everything we can to help you and your family reach those goals.
If you have not joined us as a patient yet and/or if you would like to schedule an appointment for root canal therapy, contact us today online or call us directly at (804) 320-8894.
We are here to brighten your smile and provide you with the personalized care you deserve!