Root Canal Therapy in Gainesville, GA

If you have tooth decay that progresses all the way to the inside of your tooth's pulp, then you are likely going to experience pain, fever, and infection. When a cavity does this much damage, our general dentist, Dr. Patrick B. Toms, usually recommends a root canal therapy to save the tooth. Caught early enough, your tooth may not have to be extracted. 

Infected pulp will not go away on its own. It has to be treated or you will likely become very ill. Not only will there be tooth and facial pain, but the infection can also spread and weaken your entire immune system. Our endodontic treatments stop the infection and the decay from spreading to other teeth (and creating larger problems). If you suspect you could benefit from root canal therapy, we understand if you might have reservations or apprehensions about having this intensive therapy. Dr. Toms and his staff will do their very best to make sure you are at ease and comfortable, and we safely provide several methods of sedation when needed. Call Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. to schedule a consult with Dr. Toms for more information on root canal therapy and sedation methods.

It is rare for a patient to come to our office unaware of a problem when the need for a root canal arises. However, we do sometimes have candidates for a root canal that have no apparent symptoms until something is found on a digital x-ray for a dental exam. Most of the time, we see adult patients when they are already in pain or having a dental emergency. You are likely to need a root canal if the infection reaches the pulp of your tooth from trauma, an open cavity or a deep crack in the tooth. Some of the most common signs that you may have an infected tooth are tooth pain, facial pressure, temperature sensitivity, jaw pain, swollen and discoloration. If the infected pulp is not removed, it will become increasingly painful as the infection spreads to other parts of your mouth.

Set up an appointment at Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. as soon as you feel or see any changes in your mouth. If you have fears or anxieties about going to the dentist, don't hesitate to ask us about sedation dentistry to help you remain calm and at ease during your exam and treatment. If left untreated, your infection will spread and abscess painfully. You put your health at risk by not seeking dental treatment at this level of severity.

We understand that many patients have dental anxieties, especially when a root canal therapy is needed. Please know that Dr. Toms has more than 20 years of experience working with patients with dental fears, which is why he offers intravenous (IV) and oral-conscious sedation at his practice. He is certified to administer IV sedation himself, which makes one less dental professional in the treatment room on your behalf. We do not want you to feel uncomfortable about being afraid. Dr. Toms is very sympathetic about dental anxieties and will help you make the appropriate decision on how to proceed. 

On the day of your root canal, you will be peacefully and safely sedated while Dr. Toms begins the work on your tooth. He may have to remove sections of the tooth that are decayed and the infected pulp. The inner chamber of the root canal will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned out to eliminate any lingering debris. Then, he will fill the inside of the tooth with a standard filling material to stop the unwanted infection. Most patients have to have a restoration (dental crown) placed over the tooth to restore the functionality and strength of the tooth as a whole. If a crown is placed, Dr. Toms will also do a core build-up with the crown for optimal results.

Based on the method of sedation that was chosen, you might need to have an adult drive you home following your root canal and a temporary crown. You should expect your mouth to feel tender and swollen, but this should not last more than a few days and can be reduced with anti-inflammatory medications. Your follow-up appointment is most likely going to be on the day your fixed crown is placed. This may take a few weeks, but the crown placement appointment will be much shorter. 

If you continue to have pain, signs of infection or something does not feel right with the treated tooth, please call our office for assistance. Hopefully, we will see you at your next dental cleaning and Dr. Toms can check in on the treated tooth.

During your consultation, Dr. Toms will go over cost estimates to align your treatments with your health needs and your budget. If you have dental insurance, we will contact your provider to get the most out of your endodontic coverage. Your provider may only cover a percentage of the total root canal. We will also submit a claim for sedation and restorative dental work for a crown, as well. If you do not have dental insurance or you still have out-of-pocket expenses, Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. takes many payment methods, and we can assist you in finding medical financing options such as CareCredit®.

With all of today's modern advances in medical techniques and technology, a root canal can be a quick, simple process to treat an infected tooth. In conjunction with your choice of sedation, your root canal therapy at Patrick B. Toms, D.M.D. can free you from discomfort to avoid further tooth pain and more serious complications. Call our office in Gainesville, GA to schedule a consult with Dr. Toms to learn more about root canal therapy.