At Dixon Family Dental, we understand how hard life can be when dealing with a painfully infected tooth. That’s why our Southfield dentist Dr. Darlene Dixon provides gentle, high-quality root canal therapy for her patients in Southfield, Farmington, Royal Oak, and Farmington Hills, MI.
Root canal therapy is a procedure used to treat any infected nerves within your tooth. The inside of your tooth can become infected when large cavities, cracks, or gum disease allow harmful bacteria to spread into the inner nerves and chambers known as the pulp. Our Southfield dentist routinely uses root canals to remove the infected tissue within the tooth before sealing it, blocking any bacteria from reaching your roots or other areas of your smile.
Our Southfield dentist has trained for years to help her patients achieve ideal oral health. Root canal therapy in Southfield can help save your teeth from extraction, not just maintaining your stunning smile — it also keeps your jawbone from weakening over time.
Root canal therapy may seem daunting, but it’s the best way to save your infected tooth from extraction. Along with customized dental crowns, this treatment helps patients on their journey to the best possible version of their oral health.
Most people think root canal therapy is a painful procedure. However, that’s simply not the case. On top of being gentle, root canals come with a variety of benefits:
There are a variety of symptoms associated with root canal infections that can help you determine if you need treatment. We recommend calling our Southfield dental office right away if you’re experiencing any of the following issues:
At your root canal appointment at Dixon Family Dental, Dr. Darlene will begin by performing a thorough examination of the affected tooth. She’ll use her years of experience to decide what treatment is best before thoroughly cleaning your teeth and gums. Additionally, we may also perform any necessary supplemental procedures at this time.
Once she has decided whether a root canal is best for your treatment, our dental professionals will begin the procedure using local anesthetic around the tooth. This numbs the area and eliminates any pain you may experience during the process.
Dr. Dixon will then use a specialized dental drill to gently remove infected tissue from within your tooth. Once we have removed all infected tissue from the tooth, we’ll clean and disinfect the space to prevent the infection from reoccurring.
To finalize your treatment, Dr. Dixon will use a personalized dental crown created to blend seamlessly into your natural smile. Your crown will seal your tooth, protecting the inner portion from further damage. You’ll leave our office that day with a complete and functional restoration!
A root canal can take between one to three dentist visits to complete, with each appointment likely taking about an hour, depending on your case. We may have you schedule a separate appointment to have your permanent dental crown placed. However, your dentist can give you a more detailed timeline for your root canal therapy at your initial consultation.
The cost of a root canal can vary depending on the location, the tooth involved, and the type of restoration needed. It’s typically more expensive than a filling but less expensive than tooth extraction and replacement options.
Your dental insurance might also cover the cost of the procedure, depending on your coverage plan. Be sure to ask your dentist for a cost estimate during your consultation to learn more about the price of your root canal procedure.
Yes, dentists usually recommend a permanent crown after a root canal to protect the tooth and restore its function. Because root canals involve removing the inner part of a tooth, replacing and sealing the tissue prevents further damage to your tooth nerves and roots. Your dental crown also allows you to chew, speak, and smile as usual.
You can eat after a root canal as soon as the numbness from the anesthesia wears off, avoiding crunchy foods in favor of soft foods and liquids in the meantime. It’s important to chew carefully on the opposite side of your mouth for the first day or two after the procedure.
Dentists also recommend avoiding hot or spicy food and food that requires a lot of biting and chewing, like nuts, popcorn, and hard candy. Your dentist will provide instructions on what to eat and how to care for your tooth — follow these instructions carefully to ensure proper healing.
