Lingering sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, sharp pain when biting, or a persistent toothache often indicate infection has reached the pulp inside a tooth. The clinical term for infected dental pulp is pulpitis. This condition can be caused by deep decay, a cracked or fractured tooth, or other trauma to the tooth.
Without prompt treatment at NuSmile, the infection can worsen, leading to continued pain, a tooth abscess, or even the need for extraction. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—especially a severe toothache—healing endodontics in Saratoga Springs, UT can relieve your pain and save your tooth.
The goal of a root canal at NuSmile is to treat and remove harmful infection and inflammation inside your tooth before it can spread. If you’re apprehensive about getting endodontics, postponing treatment isn’t the solution! If the pulp inside your tooth roots becomes infected, the infected pulp and the bacteria inside the canal must be removed to save your tooth and your overall health.
Rest assured, root canals are designed to comfortably eliminate your tooth pain and ultimately save your tooth! Our dentist, Dr. Jeremy Thompson, is a root canal specialist with 30 years of experience in all facets of dentistry, including root canal treatment in Saratoga Springs, UT. In fact, many patients have said that root canals performed by Dr. Thompson are similar to getting a cavity filled.
During your root canal procedure, Dr. Thompson numbs the treatment site with a local anesthetic. You won’t feel any pain, although you may experience slight pressure as we complete the procedure. A hole is drilled in the crown to access the pulp chamber, then the bacteria, damaged pulp, and infected tissues are removed, and the canals are disinfected and cleaned.
Your tooth is sealed with a plant-based material called gutta-percha to keep bacteria from entering the chamber and root canal(s). A dental crown is required soon after a root canal to prevent the weakened tooth from fracturing and ensure it remains strong and functional.
A common misconception about root canal treatment is that the procedure is painful. Treatment doesn’t hurt, although your mouth may be a little sore from keeping it open for an extended period. But delaying treatment of pulpitis can result in chronic pain, a severe infection, tooth extraction, and the need for a dental implant or bridge.
You should feel much better within a few days of treatment, with mild soreness lasting up to a week. You can usually return to normal activities the next day, with discomfort easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Complete healing continues over the following weeks as your tooth stabilizes.
Without treatment, the infection inside your tooth will continue to spread, causing increasing pain and swelling. This can lead to a dental abscess, bone loss, and even systemic health complications. In many cases, skipping a root canal in Saratoga Springs, UT, ultimately leads to tooth loss and the need for more extensive, costly treatment.
Pulp capping is a potential option to preserve a tooth’s vitality when decay approaches or slightly exposes the inner pulp chamber. A pulpotomy removes only the infected or inflamed pulp from the tooth crown, not the canals. But a root canal is widely considered the most effective approach to treating pulpitis and saving a tooth from extraction.
The cost of a root canal depends on the tooth being treated and the severity of the infection. Molars generally cost more than front teeth due to their complexity. While NuSmile is a fee-for-service practice, we’re happy to submit insurance claims on your behalf and also offer dental financing options.
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