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Root Canal in Vinton, VA

Many people get anxious when they learn they need a root canal. The good news is that root canals today are not much more complicated than having a tooth filled. In fact, many of our patients tell us that the procedure was not nearly as complicated as they thought it would be.

You may find it difficult to believe that root canal therapy can really be that easy, but advances in dental technology have made treatment efficient and much more comfortable than in the past. Dr. Law has performed many successful root canals over the years, so you know your treatment is being handled by an experienced professional who understands your concerns.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

Most people think that “root canal” refers to the treatment itself. Actually, the root canal is the space inside the root in your tooth that is filled with nerves and tissue. When an infection caused by decay, dental trauma, or gum disease extends into this portion of the root, it is necessary to perform root canal therapy to save the tooth.

How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?

Only your dentist can determine if you need root canal treatment. But if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that root canal treatment is required:

  • A bump or raised spot (like a pimple) on your gum
  • A toothache that worsens over time
  • Sensitivity when you bite down or touch the tooth

In some cases, you may not experience any symptoms, but an infection may still be spreading and damaging your tooth. This is why it’s so important to schedule routine dental exams at our dental office in Vinton.

What Is involved With Root Canal Treatment?

Much of the anxiety people feel about having a root canal is due to a lack of knowledge about what happens during treatment. Feeling uninformed about dental treatments often results in stress, so it’s important to understand what you can expect.

Dr. Law starts treatment by numbing the area to make sure you are completely comfortable, and all the infected material inside the root is removed. After we are sure the infection has been cleared away, we thoroughly clean the tooth.

Depending on the extent of the infection, we may use medicine to ensure that the infection is completely gone. The tooth is then sealed and filled. If your tooth is very weak, a dental crown may be necessary to strengthen and protect it from further damage.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

Before you leave our office, we will give you instructions on caring for the tooth once you get home. Your tooth may feel a bit sore on the day of treatment, but this is common and nothing to be worried about. If you have any concerns after you get home, feel free to give us a call so we can answer your questions.

Please Contact Our Office for More Information

We want you to be completely comfortable about any treatment you have at our office. Our professional team is very sensitive to your concerns, and we will take all the time needed to answer your questions and help reduce your anxiety. Please contact us at (540) 342-4945 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a member of your family are having a dental emergency, we will be happy to get you in for an appointment the same day. Few things are worse than experiencing sudden severe dental pain and not being able to get immediate help. We will make a same-day appointment for you so that you can get the prompt relief you need to protect your oral health.

Experiencing severe toothache pain is usually a sign that a serious problem is developing. Seeking prompt attention from your dentist is important to prevent continued pain and the risk of further damage to the tooth.

If you are not sure whether the problem is an actual dental emergency or not, we’ve provided a list of some of the more common dental emergencies our patients experience. Please note that if you experience any trauma to your face, neck, or head, you should call 911 or visit your local emergency room immediately.

Common Dental Emergencies:

  • You have experienced dental trauma like an accident or damage to the tooth that has caused it to fracture or break.
  • An unexplained bump or pimple on your gums.
  • Severe tooth pain that includes sudden swelling.
  • Pain so severe that you can’t tell which tooth it’s coming from.
  • Dental trauma caused by an accident or sports injury.
  • You've lost or damaged a restoration such as a filling, dental crown, bridge, or veneer.

Our priority is to protect your oral health, and a dental emergency can often mean serious trouble is developing. Please don’t ever hesitate to contact our office if you are concerned or have any questions about discomfort you are experiencing.
 

If severe decay or periodontal disease occurs deep within your tooth, a root canal is probably needed. This area within your tooth houses the nerves and pulp that keep your tooth alive.

If infection reaches this space in your tooth, a root canal is often the only way to preserve the tooth. Without root canal treatment, you face the risk of having the infection spread, and you may eventually need to have your tooth pulled.

Usually, the first indication of root canal infection is tenderness around the tooth and severe toothache pain that won’t go away. Most people have a negative reaction to the idea of a root canal, but if the infection is not removed, the pain will get worse and potentially result in loss of the tooth. The reason for root canal therapy is to eliminate the infection and the source of your pain.

Dr. Law has extensive experience in performing root canals, and he knows that many people get nervous when they think about having root canal treatment. Sedation options can work wonders in helping to keep you relaxed, and Dr. Law’s experience and training enables him to perform root canals that are comfortable, safe, and efficient.

Root canals have earned a very bad reputation, but most of that has to do with lack of understanding or disinformation. Knowing why you need a root canal and how the process works can go a long way toward putting you at ease about this important procedure.

The inner core of your tooth contains an area known as your root canal. This is the portion of the tooth that holds nerves, tissue, and other material. If periodontal infection or severe decay penetrates this space, you will need a root canal procedure.

We need to remove any infection and decay to provide relief and save your tooth from further damage. Without a root canal, you will face continued pain and potential loss of the tooth.

The procedure involves making a tiny hole in your tooth to access the root canal. Then, using special instruments, Dr. Law carefully removes any infected material. Once this is thoroughly cleared away, the tooth is filled and sealed. In most cases, we will need to further protect the tooth by placing a dental crown.

Root canals are an important dental treatment, and essential for saving a tooth damaged by decay or disease. Please contact our Vinton dental office if you would like more information about the root canal procedure.

We know that no one looks forward to having a root canal. In fact, root canals are unfortunately one of the most dreaded of all dental procedures.

This reputation is unwarranted, because techniques and instruments used for root canals today have improved significantly in recent years. In the hands of a competent dentist like Dr. Law, a root canal does not need to be any more stressful than having a tooth filled.

However, we do understand that this fact alone may not be enough to lessen your fears. In that case, we can offer effective sedation to help you stay comfortable during the procedure.

Nitrous oxide is a safe and mild sedation method that is very effective for reducing anxiety and creating a calm, relaxed feeling. It is also a great choice because it does not have any lingering after-effects. You will be able to return to your normal activities as soon as treatment is finished.

Oral sedation is helpful for those who have greater anxiety. When used in combination with nitrous oxide, we can provide a truly comfortable, stress-free experience.

If you would like to learn more about root canal treatment and they ways we can help you relax, please contact our Vinton dental office.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Zachary Law

A native of Elkins, West Virginia, Dr. Law came to this community when he took over the practice in the summer of 2013. Dr. Law achieved his Bachelors of Science degree at Alderson-Broaddus College and continued his education at West Virginia University, graduating with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

Before moving to Virginia, Dr. Law was a practicing dentist in Berkeley Springs for eight years under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas Leslie.  He also served as an adjunct professor for West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry as a preceptor for ...

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