Root Canal Therapy in Springfield, MO
When toothache pain brings you to the dentist, the last thing you want to hear is that you need a root canal.
But the truth is that root canals have received a bad reputation unfairly because they are a dental procedure that will not only relieve your pain but also can save your tooth. A root canal becomes necessary when the nerve of a tooth becomes infected, abscessed, or irreversibly inflamed. However, you don't have to dread the procedure because it will immediately relieve your pain and help to preserve your natural tooth. In fact, the toothache pain that usually brings patients in is far worse than the actual procedure to eliminate the pain.
With our state-of-the-art technology, we can perform root canal treatment right here in our Springfield, MO dental office without the need to refer patients to a specialist. Call White Smiles Family Dental right away at (417) 887-6882 if you are suffering from tooth pain.
- The Signs of an Infected Tooth
- The Root Canal Process
- The Myth about Root Canals
- Your Comfort Is Our Priority
- Don't Put off Treatment
- You Can Prevent Root Canals
- Dental Insurance and Root Canals
The Signs of an Infected Tooth
Often people are unaware they have an infection in their tooth until they start feeling pain. A mild toothache can quickly become an excruciating one that is unbearable. This is what frequently moves people to contact their dentist.
Sometimes there are signs ahead of time that trouble is brewing. For instance, if you have chips, cracks, or fractures in a tooth, this makes it easier for bacteria to get into the tooth and cause an infection. In other cases, when you frequently need dental procedures in the same area, it might be another indicator that there is a potential problem.
In many cases, however, people are unaware of a problem until their tooth starts hurting, and now it is too late for preventive measures. At the first sign of pain or even sensitivity, you should call your dentist. Dental pain is never normal.
The Root Canal Process in Springfield, MO
Root canal treatment involves cleaning out the infected tooth pulp from the tooth root via a tiny hole in the tooth. After your dentist numbs the area with a local anesthetic, they will thoroughly clean and disinfect the tooth’s inner root canal. The area is then filled and sealed to prevent any further infection.
Special filling material is placed in each root, which allows you to retain the tooth and prevents re-infection. Because removing the tooth pulp makes the treated tooth more brittle, a dental crown is recommended to strengthen the remaining tooth structure and prevent fractures.
The procedure itself is not painful, although you may have residual pain afterward from the infection. The discomfort should dissipate entirely in a few days.
The Myth about Root Canals
Most people associate root canal treatment with pain. It's likely they have heard a horror story, or have had the treatment themselves and remember how painful it was.
The truth is, it is not the root canal procedure that causes your pain, but rather the infection in your tooth. Root canal therapy in Springfield, MO actually relieves your pain because of the dental anesthetics that Drs. White utilize right away, and also because the procedure eliminates the infected and diseased tissue inside your tooth.
So, rather than being a painful and scary procedure, think of root canal treatment as a way to relieve your dental pain, while also helping you preserve your natural tooth.
Your Comfort Is Our Priority
When you are in pain, you need relief fast! We understand this at White Smiles Family Dental, and we're prepared to work you into our schedule and provide the treatment you need the same day if it's necessary.
Drs. Preston and Shannon White are both highly-skilled and gentle, so you can rest assured that your root canal treatment will go smoothly and get you back on the path to wellness as soon as possible. They rely on the best dental anesthetics to help you feel numb, which immediately relieves your discomfort and ensures that you don't feel a thing during your procedure.
We also understand that hearing you need root canal treatment may cause you to feel anxious about the procedure. At White Smiles Family Dental, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to those patients who might need a little extra care during their procedure. Nitrous helps you feel relaxed and at ease during your procedure, but also quickly leaves your system so you can comfortably resume your normal activities and even drive yourself home after your dental appointment. If you feel that you would benefit from using nitrous during your root canal treatment, please let your Springfield dentist know beforehand.
Don't Put off Treatment
Your teeth should never hurt!
Find out if you need root canal treatment by scheduling your appointment with White Smiles Family Dental as soon as you start to feel any pain. Tooth-saving root canal treatment is a 
standard dental procedure that will alleviate the infection and your discomfort.
Failing to treat an infected tooth can result in your infection spreading to surrounding teeth or even more critical parts of your body like your brain. A dental infection could also end up irreversibly damaging your tooth and resulting in tooth loss.
You Can Prevent Root Canals
There are indeed many situations that we can't avoid; however, there are also many root canals that you can prevent. A tooth infection is typically caused by decay that is allowed to progress further and further into your tooth until it reaches a nerve and causes an infection. This is about the time you will start to feel that excruciating pain that keeps you up at night. Now your tooth needs root canal treatment to eliminate infection and preserve it.
But what if your dentist in Springfield had been able to detect that tooth decay in its early stages before it reached the nerve of your tooth? The answer is that you probably would've been able to treat it with a simple dental filling.
When you visit Drs. Preston and Shannon White regularly for preventive cleanings and checkups, they're able to detect tooth decay early while it's just a small cavity that they can quickly treat with a filling. Visit White Smiles Family Dental every six months for your cleanings and checkups so you can protect your dental health.
Dental Insurance and Root Canals in Springfield, MO
If you have dental insurance, your plan will likely pay for a percentage of your root canal treatment, which helps to defray your out-of-pocket cost. We also work with third-party financing companies like CareCredit who can break the price of your treatment into more manageable monthly payments.
So, if you are feeling the discomfort of a toothache, don't hesitate to call our Springfield dental office. Our financial coordinator will be happy to help you figure out how to fit your treatment into your budget so you can get the relief you need as soon as possible.
If you have a toothache or suspect you might need a root canal in Springfield, MO contact White Smiles Family Dental right away!
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how bad the crack is. In some cases, a simple dental filling might be enough to repair the tooth. In others, a crown might be indicated. If the crack is more serious, you might need root canal therapy or—as a last resort—a tooth extraction. In most cases, however, cracked teeth can easily be fixed by placing a crown on the tooth to cover and protect the tooth from further damage.
If you notice a crack in your tooth, be sure to come and see our emergency dentist in Springfield. If it doesn’t hurt, it might be tempting to put off treatment until the tooth is bothering you. But waiting until the tooth starts causing you pain usually results in an increased number of dental appointments and more expense to repair the tooth. The earlier we treat the cracked tooth, the better.
Visit Your Springfield, MO Emergency Dentist
Sometimes you might not notice the crack in your tooth until it starts causing trouble. This is just one of the many reasons why it’s so important to stay current with trips to the dentist twice each year for examinations and cleanings. Even the tiniest crack will be detected with our advanced technology so you can get the treatment you need. If you've got more questions about cracked teeth, call our Springfield dental office today!
If you’re wondering how to know if you need root canal treatment, the answer is that you can’t, but your dentist can. There are symptoms you should be aware of, however, because seeking prompt treatment for a root canal infection spares you unnecessary pain and saves your tooth from extraction.
Gentle Root Canal Treatment in Springfield, MO
You might need root canal therapy at our Springfield dentist office if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
- Toothache that worsens over time
- Pain or swelling in your jaw
- Tenderness or swelling of gums
- Darkening of the tooth
- Extreme sensitivity to touch and hot and cold temperatures
- A raised whitish bump or “pimple” on your gums
- A foul odor or taste in your mouth
A tooth becomes infected when bacteria are allowed to enter the innermost area called the pulp chamber. This can occur because of a cracked or fractured tooth, a deep cavity, or dental trauma. Since the pulp contains the tooth's nerves, the result is a throbbing toothache.
Contact Our Springfield Dentist Office to Schedule
If you have a toothache or any other symptoms and think you need root canal therapy, please contact White Smiles Family Dental at (417) 887-6882. We will arrange to see you as soon as possible, usually the same day if you are in pain. Our dentist will take a digital x-ray to confirm whether it is an infected tooth or another problem that requires treatment.
Foods to Eat After a Root Canal in Springfield, MO
Root canals require proper maintenance after getting home; it's important to eat the right food so that you don't damage or break your previously repaired tooth and lead to further complications.
It is very important to start with soft foods. Your dentist in Springfield, MO has a few suggestions to read through:
Dairy
Creamy foods are very easy to eat because they do not require chewing. Yogurt, eggs, ice cream, and milkshakes are good after your root canal.
Fruits are soft, vibrant, smell great. What's not to love? Consider making a smoothie if some fruit skins are a little tough.
Unrefined Carbs
Every living thing requires carbs, including you. There are many non-processed versions of carbs, maybe try some cooked steel-cut oats or a rice dish after a root canal procedure.
Veggies
Vegetables should never be neglected even after root canal surgery. Soft veggies that have been cooked, mashed, etc. support overall wellness.
Do You Have Any Questions About Root Canals?
If you have any questions regarding your root canal therapy, contact White Smiles Family Dental any time. We will be more than happy to go through questions that you may have.
To learn more about what you can and cannot eat after having a root canal, consult with your Springfield, MO dentist Dr. Preston White before your procedure.
Root canal therapy in Springfield, MO removes nerve and blood vessels within the tooth to try to save the tooth from a dental extraction.
Our enamel is tough, but it can have softened or worn points that bacteria can burrow in. When bacteria infect the pulp of your tooth, we have to move fast to prevent it from destroying the tooth.
What Is Dental Pulp?
The pulp is comprised of all the nerves and blood vessels within the tooth. It extends from the crown of the tooth (the visible portion of your tooth) to the root in the jaw bone.
When the Pulp Gets Infected
When the inner portion of the tooth becomes infected and cannot heal itself, it can start to die. This is a common occurrence with a significant cavity or a fractured tooth.
Holes in your enamel can let bacteria into the inner pulp, which causes an infection inside the tooth. Without dental treatment, it can form an abscess which can impact the bone around the tooth.
Root Canals in 65804 Can Save Your Teeth
At White Smiles Family Dental, we try to save your teeth whenever possible. Root canal therapy can allow us to remove any infection or inflammation from the tooth so that it can remain. Many root canals are emergency dental procedures if the patient has not had a dental cleaning and exam for a long time.
Oral health issues are often a slow, gradual process that culminates in a five-alarm dental emergency. By seeing your Springfield dentist Dr. Preston White, as regularly as you can, you fight off any impending infections. Contact White Smiles Family Dental today to schedule your next appointment!
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Preston White
Dr. Preston White grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas, before graduating from Wichita State University in 2007. In 2012, Dr. Preston graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry with many honors, including high honors in Oral Surgery. Dedicated to his education, Dr. Preston graduated Magna Cum Laude from dental school.
After completion of his four-year dental degree, Dr. Preston received additional training in advanced and specialized dental procedures such as complex root canal therapy, surgical extractions, implant placement and restoration, fixed and removable prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry in ...
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