ROOT CANALS

A man is talking to a woman in a dental chair.

ENDODONTIC THERAPY

Whenever possible, saving the natural tooth is the goal of any dentist when helping a patient address a severely damaged or infected tooth. Root canal therapy is a vital treatment that will enable a patient to keep their natural tooth. The dentists at Kanning Dental provide this family dental service to patients of all ages.


Although many patients feel that a root canal is a very painful treatment, modern techniques have made this procedure much more comfortable and efficient. Our endodontist in Richmond and Lawson, MO performs most root canals with a local anesthetic. In most cases, it is no more painful than a dental filling. As a matter of face, patients typically experience immediate relief from the pain caused by the infection within the tooth.


Dr. Kanning may recommend placing a dental crown once the root canal is complete. This will strengthen the tooth and prevent future decay.

ROOT CANAL PROCESS

A root canal procedure in Lawson and Richmond, MO involves several steps and may require two or three appointments to complete.


At the first appointment, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth. This is to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure.


Next, they will drill a small hole in the tooth to access the inside of the tooth. Your dentist will use a special tool to remove all of the infected tissue and nerves. Once this is complete, you should feel relief.


Your dentist will use an antibacterial solution to clean out and disinfect the inside of the tooth. Once it is clean, they will fill the root canal with a rubber material called gutta percha. Then the hole is sealed with a dental filling.


It is likely that your dentist will recommend a dental crown. This will help strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

The alternative to a root canal is often a tooth extraction. Saving the natural tooth is desired because it prevents the development of additional dental problems after a tooth is lost or extracted: loss of bone in the jaw, shifting of teeth, and the detrimental effects on eating and speaking if not replaced quickly. Tooth replacement is also a more complicated and costly process.

ROOT CANAL FAQs

  • Is a root canal painful?

    A root canal is actually no more painful than a typical tooth filling. The bad reputation surrounding the root canal procedure is mostly due to how painful the actual infection is. Once your dentist removes all the infected tissue, you will most likely feel relief.

  • I need a root canal but suffer from extreme dental anxiety. What should I do?

    Kanning Dental offers sedation dentistry for patients just like you! Our sedation options allow you to be in a deep state of relaxation making it possible for your dentist to complete the root canal without incident. After the sedation wears off, you will most likely not remember anything at all from the root canal treatment and the pain and swelling will be gone.

  • What are the benefits of choosing a root canal?

    The greatest benefit to having a root canal done is being able to preserve your natural tooth. Preserving the natural tooth in its oral cavity for as long as possible allows the jaw to maintain a healthy level of bone. Once a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it will slowly begin to deteriorate.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

If you are experiencing tooth pain, increased sensitivity, or have noticed a tooth that has been discolored, mention this during your next visit to Kanning Dental. If you need to, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kanning to see if root canal therapy in Richmond or Lawson, MO is the solution to your dental concern.

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