Root Canal Therapy in The Woodlands, TX

Made Ya Smile Dental has a skilled staff of practitioners who seek to treat decay and damage as soon as possible with a simple filling or other types of restorations to preserve your natural smile. When harmful bacteria have spread into the pulp of the tooth, the infection requires a root canal treatment to save it from extraction. Root canal therapy is a procedure that allows us to remove the infected pulp, clean the inner portion of the tooth, and seal it off so the infection does not put your health at risk or cause any further damage. This can relieve any pain you are experiencing, as well as restore the health and function of your teeth. 

Our team understands that a root canal may cause concerns for some, especially those who tend to have a fear of the dentist or experience dental anxiety. At our clinic in The Woodlands, TX, we offer sedation options to put you at ease during your procedure and numb the area completely so you don't have to worry about feeling pain or discomfort. If you have a toothache and believe you may benefit from root canal therapy, please contact our practice as soon as possible to learn about the treatment and sedation options. 

If we need to treat an abscessed tooth or tooth infection, we will often perform a root canal. Root canal therapy is provided to save a tooth and prevent damage to your oral health. Some common benefits of this treatment include:

• Alleviate pain
• Prevent tooth loss
• Stop infection from spreading to other teeth
• Save the jawbone from deterioration
• Improve your overall oral health
• Enhance the appearance of your smile
• Improve your oral function, including speaking and eating

If you've been wondering do I need a root canal? We'll provide you with the answers you've been looking for. Ideal candidates for root canal therapy may experience decay or an infection that's extended to the center of the tooth, physical injury to the tooth, or a broken or fractured tooth. It's best to treat these conditions as soon as possible to prevent the damage from spreading to other areas of the mouth, which may require more extensive treatment in the future. When an infection spreads, this not only affects your teeth but your general health as well. Made Ya Smile Dental takes a gentle chairside approach to dentistry at our practice in The Woodlands, TX and hopes to make your visit as stress-free as possible with sedation options.

Common symptoms that may indicate the need for root canal therapy include:

• Pain in the teeth or jaw
• Dull or throbbing pain
• Swollen or discolored gums or discoloration of a tooth
• A "pimple-like" area on the gums

To learn more about how long a root canal will take, schedule an appointment with our team at Made Ya Smile in The Woodlands, TX.

During your dental consultation, Made Ya Smile Dental will review the procedure from beginning to end to understand if you need endodontics for an infected tooth, as well as sedation options if needed. Once you are prepared for the procedure, we will completely numb the area and surrounding tissue to ensure your comfort. Next, we will create an opening to remove the infected parts in the canals of the tooth. Our doctors then add a filling to strengthen and rebuild the internal structure and restore function. After the procedure, we will give you post-op instructions so you can learn how to clean and take care of your tooth during recovery. 

If you have chosen oral-conscious sedation to reduce anxiety during your root canal therapy, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment at Made Ya Smile Dental. Some patients may notice some minor swelling in the area, which can be minimized with nonprescription pain relievers and a cold compress. Our team may also give you a prescription for antibiotics to keep the infection from spreading to other parts of your body. Once you are fully healed, our dentists will recommend placing a more permanent restoration to restore the function and appearance of the tooth, such as a dental crown, since these teeth are more likely to break. We will continue to schedule follow-up appointments and examinations as needed to monitor your progress and assess the area.

Is root canal therapy painful?
Before your root canal procedure begins, your tooth will be numbed so that you do not experience any pain. Due to new, innovative techniques in the dental field, a root canal done by our Made Ya Smile team should not cause any more discomfort than a tooth filling.

How long does it take to recover from a root canal treatment?
Your dental surgery team will review your aftercare instructions with you during your consultation. Generally, it only takes a few days to recover from your root canal treatment. If you have any questions about your aftercare, please do not hesitate to consult your dental surgery team.

What are the alternatives to a root canal?
Our team of dentists will always try and preserve your natural tooth first. The only other viable alternative to a root canal is to have the infected tooth extracted. Because a tooth extraction can cause other oral health problems, if you are given the option to save your tooth through a root canal, we strongly recommend opting for a root canal.

Depending on your dental insurance plan and coverage options, root canal therapy and sedation options may be covered partially or in full. Made Ya Smile Dental will call your provider before we begin treatment to understand coverage limits and out-of-pocket costs. Our staff is trained to work with you to find the best payment solutions that meet your needs so we offer several easy payment options, including flexible low-interest medical financing. 

Thanks to our state-of-the-art dental techniques and advancements, as well as sedation options, root canal therapy is easier and more comfortable than ever. Made Ya Smile Dental can treat an infected tooth early so you don't need more extensive and costly treatments in the future. Our practitioners are some of the best and most qualified doctors in the field, which means you can rest knowing you are in excellent hands. To learn more about our procedures, such as endodontics for an infected tooth, contact our clinic in The Woodlands, TX.