Root Canal & Endodontics in West Hartford

What’s Meant by a Dental Root Canal?

The inside of each tooth contains blood vessels and nerves in a pulpy mass that’s very sensitive. When the mass becomes infected or damaged, which can occur due to infection, trauma, or decay, it can be extremely painful and the remedy most often is root canal surgery. Also called endodontic treatments, root canals will remove the damaged pulp, alleviate your pain, and restore function to the affected tooth or teeth. Root canals are permanent procedures that shouldn’t need to be repeated. If you need one or more root canals in West Hartford, then call our office today for an appointment.

When Will I Need a Root Canal in West Hartford?

Whenever you’re experiencing severe pain in the area of a tooth or in the tooth itself, you should consult a dentist. You don’t have pain unless there’s a problem, so if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need a root canal:

• Pain that ranges from moderate to excruciating
• Nighttime pain that regularly disrupts your sleep
• One or more discolored teeth
• Deep cavities, especially around discolored teeth
• Localized swelling or inflammation
• Heat or cold sensitivity
• Pain when you chew or bite down

If you’re experiencing any of these, call our West Hartford office today to schedule an appointment. You may be experiencing some or many of these symptoms, but either way, it’s better to have a dental professional evaluate your tooth before the problem gets any worse. If left untreated, an infected or damaged tooth may need to be pulled.

Which Type of Dentists Perform Root Canals?

Most general dentists can perform standard root canals. If yours is very complex or if there are multiple roots involved, then we may refer you to a local specialist, called an endodontist, but a root canal dentist in our office can perform standard procedures. If you have specific questions or concerns or if you want to schedule a consultation, then give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you.

What’s the Procedure for Getting Root Canals?

When you come to our office for a dental root canal treatment, we’ll follow these general steps. Your procedure may vary slightly depending on your unique needs, but generally, the procedure is as follows:

1. Your dentist will first apply anesthetic to the area surrounding the tooth.
2. We’ll then place a small, protective shield around the tooth to keep it clean and sanitary.
3. Next, your dentist will drill a small hole in the tooth crown. This makes the damaged area accessible.
4. We’ll remove the infected pulp, clean the area, and then shape the canals.
5. Your dentist will rinse and disinfect the canals.
6. We’ll fill the canals with gutta-percha and then seal them.
7. Finally, we’ll install a root canal crown to keep your tooth from cracking.

Although you may have minor discomfort for a day or two after your procedure, you should be free of pain and have full use of your tooth and jaw in a very short while. If you have questions regarding this procedure, then call our West Hartford office and we’ll be glad to answer them.

Are Root Canals Very Expensive?

As with any medical or dental procedure, the cost of your root canal procedure will be unique to you and will be influenced by several factors, such as:

• The type, quantity, and location of the tooth or teeth involved
• The scope of work that you need
• Your insurance benefits
• Whether a specialist performed the procedure

During your initial consultation, we’ll provide you with an estimate of the work needed and all associated fees, so you’ll know exactly what your root canal cost will be. If you have questions or want to schedule a consultation, call our West Hartford office.

How Many Types of Root Canals Are There?

Most of our patients require a standard root canal, but if you’re having a previous procedure redone, you may need an apicoectomy. This means the dentist will remove the tip of the root. Dentists also perform pediatric pulpotomies which remove the pulp, leaving the nerves intact. Your dentist will advise you of the type of procedure you need when you come to our office for your initial consultation.

Are Root Canals Exceedingly Painful?

Root canals have an undeserved reputation for being excruciating, but we do our best to ensure that you’re comfortable throughout your procedure. Our dentel professionals are committed to making patients feel comfortable and confident in their dental care. We’ll do our best to provide you with the most pain-free experience possible by listening to your needs and providing the solution that makes the most sense for you. If you need one or more root canals, call Premier Dental of Connecticut in West Hartford at (860) 265-1411 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you and including you in our growing dental family.