Hammond Dental Sandy Springs
Root Canal
See Why We’re Rated 5 Stars
Hammond Dental is a General Dental practice that also offers specialist dental care. Some of the general dental procedures we offer include teeth cleanings, fillings, dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. Our specialized procedures include but are not limited to, root canals, tooth extractions, clear smile aligners, and dental implants. Located in Sandy Springs, GA, we gladly give metro-Atlanta remarkable dental care and while utilizing the most modern dental technology and practices. Bring the whole family and receive quality dental care all under one roof!
We like to ensure that you’re the most educated about your teeth and procedures prior to settling on treatment options. You can find out about our dental strategies and how they are performed by reading about some of our services. Book your appointment and talk to one of our experienced dentists today.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a restorative procedure in which the Doctor clears the infection out of a decaying tooth to restore the natural tooth. The procedure is often associated with pain and discomfort, but the reality is it is just like getting a filling. Pain that patients experience is not from the procedure but from the infection itself, which the Doctor removes during a root canal. In fact, most patients report significant relief after the restorative procedure. At Hammond Dental, we understand that root canal therapy can be intimidating, but we make the procedure as comfortable and easy as possible for our patients.
How Do You Know If You Need A Root Canal?
The need for root canal therapy can be indicated by several different symptoms. Patients who are experiencing severe pain in one tooth or prolonged sensitivity with different temperatures often have an infection in the tooth. Additionally, an infection can be indicated by the darkening of the tooth from the inside or swelling and pain of the surrounding gums. Occasionally, an abscess can form, causing more problems for the patient.
Contact your provider if one or more of the following conditions occurs:
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity
- sharp pains when chewing or biting
- pimples forming on your gums
- Cracks or chips forming in your teeth
- Pain and swelling in the gums
- Darkening of the gums around the infected tooth
Once an abscess forms, the patient can be sure that it is time to visit the Dentist to have the infection properly diagnosed and cared for. Though sometimes, patients can even notice no symptoms whatsoever and still require a root canal. This is why it is imperative for patients to attend their regular cleanings and check-ups to properly care for their oral health and properly diagnose issues they otherwise would not have known about.
The Root Canal Procedure
Typically, the root canal procedure itself can be completed in one visit with the dentist. Follow up visits are usually necessary to check on the restoration and deliver a permanent crown to keep the area free from infection. Before beginning the procedure, the Doctor will need to take X-rays in order to determine the extent and severity of the infection.
Though the procedure itself is not painful since the nerve is dead, the Doctor will begin by applying local anesthesia to the area of the root canal. Then, the Doctor will place a rubber dam on the patient’s mouth to keep the area free of saliva. Next, an access hole will be drilled into the tooth to remove all pulp and bacteria from the inner tooth. To completely clear the tooth from infection, the Doctor will file the inside of the tooth and if necessary flush it with water or sodium hypochlorite.
Finally, the Doctor will seal the tooth to protect it from future infection by filling it with gutta-percha and closing off the opening with a crown.
Why Do I Need a Dental Crown After My Procedure?
Because teeth that have had a root canal procedure done are fragile, they must be covered with a crown or a “cap.” Dental crowns are constructed from a number of different materials that are all ultimately used to protect the natural tooth. The most common is porcelain due to its resemblance to natural tooth color, but the components are chosen on a case-by-case basis, according to the patient’s specific needs and preferences. Patients will first receive a temporary crown, while the final one is made; temporaries are not meant to last, but they will keep the tooth free of infection risk while the final crown is made.
Stainless Steel Crowns
These prefabricated crowns are usually used on permanent teeth as a temporary crown. As a result, this protects the tooth while a permanent crown is being made. It covers the entire tooth and provides protection from decay. Stainless steel crowns are also often used in children to cover prepared baby teeth until the permanent teeth come in.
Various Metals Crowns
Similar to stainless steel crowns, some other metals used to make dental crowns include both gold alloy and palladium alloy. Base metal alloys such as nickel and chromium are also used. When this type of dental crown is used, less of the tooth structure needs to be removed. These stand up well to biting and chewing and do not wear down easily over time. They also are resistant to breaking, fractures, and chipping. While the main drawback for most people is the noticeable color, they are a good option for molars that can’t be readily seen.
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
This type of dental crown can be matched in color to the rest of your teeth, however, this type is more susceptible to chips and breaks in comparison to full metal. Because of the excellent color match, these are a good choice for front teeth. They offer the durability of full metal crowns with the color matching qualities of the porcelain.
Resin Crowns
This type of dental crown is a less expensive option than the others due to the materials used. They do wear down over time and are more likely to fracture. Similar to porcelain fused to metal crowns, this type of crown can also be matched to the patient’s tooth color, and they look natural in the mouth.
All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns
These give patients a better color match to teeth and are the best choice for those with metal allergies. Unfortunately, the porcelain crowns can be more prone to fracturing and may need replacing sooner than the metal crowns. As long as these crowns are cared for properly with no excessive force applied, they should last about as long as any other crown.
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Crowns Look and Feel Like Your Teeth
Once the tooth is free of infection, your doctor will reshape the tooth, and then a paste or a putty-type substance is used to make an impression of the tooth receiving the crown. Then, our office will send the impression to a dental lab that will make the dental crown. Finally, your Doctor will affix the temporary crown to your tooth while the permanent crown is made, which usually takes around 2-3 weeks.
After the temporary crown is placed, the Doctor will select a shade that best matches the patient’s other teeth. On the second visit, he will remove the temporary crown, and then check the permanent crown for a color match and fit. If it is acceptable, your dentist will cement it in place. For patients who are interested in whitening, they should discuss this with their Doctor before completing the color match portion of the visit.
What Causes a Tooth Infection?
You may feel worried about going to your dentist because you feel like you did something wrong or caused the problem. However, anyone could need a root canal. Sometimes even the most diligent of patients can still end up with a root canal infection. You might chip your tooth on something or fracture it and need to have a root canal. The important thing is that you speak with your doctor and let him help you get the treatment that you need. If a root canal infection goes unchecked it can worsen and lead to an abscess forming around your tooth causing for more pain and complications.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
Getting a root canal is often a procedure that requires many steps for the completion of the restoration. Because of this, the pricing can vary. Below is a list of all possible procedures included in root canal therapy. These prices are the out of pocket costs for each procedure, and therefore do not reflect any coverage by insurance. Insurance will often cover these procedures, but patients should contact their insurance company directly for a list of full coverage of benefits.
Many insurance plans use a 100-80-50 format of coverage, which means preventative care is covered at 100%, basic procedures at 80%, and major procedures at 50%. However, benefits will vary depending on the patient’s specific plan, so patients should contact their insurance company for exact coverage. At Hammond Dental, we will submit dental insurance claims as a courtesy to our patients.
| Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Root Canal – Anterior | $756 |
| Root Canal – Bicuspid | $875 |
| Root Canal – Molar | $1,153 |
| Core Build-Up | $227 |
| Crown | $1,075 |
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Do Root Canals Hurt?
Root canal procedures are not typically considered painful. More often than not the nerve inside of the tooth is no longer active because of the infection so the procedure isn’t felt. Additionally, your dental specialist will apply a local anesthetic to the tooth and the surrounding area to handle and pain that might come from the procedure.
How Long Do Root Canals Take?
Firstly, root canal treatments are done in either one or two visits, but, more commonly the bulk of the procedure is done in one visit. A simple root canal can take as little as 60 minutes but can also last up as many as 90 minutes.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Generally, dental crowns will last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. However, the lifespan of any crown depends a great deal on the amount of wear and tear it is put through. It also depends on good oral hygiene practices. Occasionally, if the restoration of the tooth is exposed, the work will either need to be redone or the tooth will need to be extracted.
Tooth Infections Require Immediate Attention
Many patients tend to ignore toothaches either because they do not like going to the dentist or they do not think anything is really wrong, or perhaps some other reason. Whatever your reason is, it is important to get tooth pain examined by a Doctor right away. Tooth decay is very treatable when caught early; cavities can be easily filled and taken care of by the dentist. However, patients who ignore the symptoms of tooth decay can face much more severe consequences. If an infection is left untreated for too long, this could result in the tooth needing to be extracted altogether.
Why Do I Need A Root Canal?
Root canal treatment becomes necessary in cases when the inner portion of a tooth is affected by infection or decay. The living tissue inside the tooth (pulp), nerves, and any decay or bacteria are removed to save the tooth from extraction, and the empty space is filled with medicated fillings to restore the structure and function of the tooth.
A root canal infection occurs when decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, or an infection develops inside the tooth or at the root tip. Root canal damage can also be caused by trauma or injury to the tooth. Listed below are some signs that may indicate the presence of a root canal infection:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and foods
- Swelling and/or tenderness in the nearby gum
- A recurring abscess on the gums
Root Canal Therapy or Treatment is typically performed by an Endodontist, as this procedure falls under the category of Endodontic Dentistry. Since we offer more advanced services than just general dentistry at Hammond Dental, we perform root canal therapies daily in Sandy Springs, GA. We can take care of all of your dental needs in one office in 30328.
What Does Root Canal Therapy Involve?
A root canal treatment typically requires two visits to our office. First, the tooth is numbed by using local anesthesia. A dental dam (a rubber sheet) is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and to prevent the infection from spreading to the nearby tooth. Using dental instruments, a hole is drilled in the tooth to access the pulp chamber. The infected pulp, damaged nerve tissue and any decay is removed from the tooth, and then the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and sealed with dental filling material. A temporary crown is placed over the tooth to protect it from fracturing. At your next appointment, we will replace your temporary crown with a permanent one to restore the full structure and function of the tooth.
We will also give you detailed instructions to help you care for your tooth. It is not uncommon to experience slight sensitivity for a few days after the procedure. This should go away once the tooth heals and the inflammation diminishes.
For more information on post-procedure care, please refer to our post-procedure page.
Make Tooth Pain A Thing Of The Past
Hammond Dental has treatment options for you and the entire family under one roof. Feel safe knowing that we have been providing exception dental service in the Sandy Springs area for over 30 years. If nagging tooth pain is a problem for you, Hammond Dental is the best local option for relieving tooth pain as well as many other dental problems and emergencies.
For more information about root canal therapy in Sandy Springs and Endodontics, contact us to learn more and make an appointment.
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