Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Requiring dental care for a damaged or painful tooth is not exactly what most would consider a fun experience. However, root canal therapy is a powerful procedure which can save the structure of your tooth, eliminating the need for extraction and allowing you to maintain or even enhance the appearance of your smile. Find out more about root canal therapy, when it becomes necessary, and how it can work to your advantage with Dr. Kevin Midkiff at Kevin S. Midkiff, D.D.S. Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Lynchburg, VA.

What is a root canal? 
A root canal is a dental procedure which removes decayed or damaged tissue from within the tooth and restores the tooth’s structure, repairing the damage and eliminating the need for a tooth extraction. Dentists often recommend root canals to patients suffering from severe tooth decay or trauma or injury to the tooth which resulted in damage to the tooth’s nerves. Root canals usually take less than an hour, resemble a simple filling in nature, and are a painless procedure thanks to the local anesthetic administered by your dentist prior to the treatment.

Do I need a root canal? 
If you have a toothache, chances are that you require a root canal. However, not all situations requiring a root canal are painful. In some cases, your dentist may suspect decay or catch it on a routine x-ray, before it turns into a toothache. A root canal at this stage can prevent any discomfort from ever happening and repair your tooth before it becomes so decayed it breaks or cracks. Often, your dentist will suggest a dental crown placed over the tooth in question to stabilize its large filling from everyday tasks like chewing and add an additional layer of protection from future damage.

Root Canal Therapy in Lynchburg, VA
A root canal usually requires only one dental appointment lasting about an hour. Your dentist will remove the decayed tissue from inside the tooth’s inner pulp chamber and scrub the inside of the tooth to ensure no decayed tissue remains behind. Then, your dentist fills the tooth with composite resin materials to restore its structure. If you require a dental crown, your dentist will normally place it onto the tooth at a future appointment.

For more information on root canals, please contact Dr. Kevin Midkiff at Kevin S. Midkiff, D.D.S. Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Lynchburg, VA. Call (434) 239-8133 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Midkiff today!