Gentle, Effective Root Canal Treatment in Millersville, MD

Save Your Tooth from Further Decay with Root Canal Therapy

At Millersville Family Dentistry, we know how stressful it can be to discover you have a severely decayed or infected tooth that needs to be extracted. In some cases, we may be able to use a specialized dental treatment to save your tooth without removing it. This procedure is referred to as a root canal, during which we remove the nerve of your infected tooth before sealing it. If you need root canal treatment in the Millersville, MD area, you’re in excellent hands with our experienced family dentists and staff.

How Does a Root Canal Procedure Work?

If your tooth has been severely decayed or infected due to a cavity, periodontal disease, or traumatic injury, a root canal procedure can save your tooth from extraction. Understanding root canal treatment steps usually puts our patients’ minds at ease about needing this procedure. First, we’ll numb your tooth using a local anesthetic and place a protective sheet over your tooth to help keep it clean during the root canal procedure. We will then make a small opening in your tooth’s crown, so that we can extract the infected or decayed pulp from your tooth’s pulp chamber and root canals. Once the area has been cleaned and reshaped, we’ll fill the root canal area with a permanent filling. Depending on the location of the treated tooth, most patients return to have a dental crown placed for more permanent protection.

How Painful Is a Root Canal Procedure

Thanks to modern dental equipment and the use of anesthesia, root canal therapy is more comfortable than you would think. You may experience mild discomfort for a few days afterward, but it’s generally no worse than a wisdom teeth procedure or getting a filling for your cavity. Continue to brush and floss, but you may want to stick to a soft diet until your treated tooth has been completely restored with a crown, as it’s susceptible to fracturing. A follow-up appointment is usually necessary.
What Are Signs You May Need a Root Canal Treatment?

Are you wondering how to tell if you need a root canal or if another dental treatment might be more appropriate? While symptoms may vary, a few indications you may need a root canal include:

• Sensitivity – Have you noticed sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks lately? When you need a root canal, it’s not uncommon to experience lingering painful sensations caused by sensitivity.
• Chewing Pain – Pain is unpleasant, but it is your body’s way of alerting you when something’s wrong. Chewing puts pressure on your teeth, which can be excruciating if they’re infected.
• Tender Mouth – Are your gums tender to the touch? This is a telltale sign you may need a root canal.
• Swollen Gums – Although you may experience mild swelling after brushing or flossing too hard, more severe gum swelling is typically the sign of an infected tooth.
• Darkened or Discolored Teeth – If you’ve noticed discolored teeth or darkening gums, it’s likely you have an infection, and decaying has started to occur inside your mouth.

What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?

The most obvious benefit of root canal therapy is saving your tooth from extraction, preserving the beauty of your natural smile. Root canal treatment also helps alleviate any discomfort, sensitivity, or swelling you may be experiencing. Once the infected or inflamed pulp is removed from your tooth and restored with a filling or crown, you’ll be on your way to recovery in no time. Root canals restore efficient biting and chewing while protecting your other teeth from excessive wear or strain. Most dental insurance plans cover root canal treatment costs at least partially, if not fully. Check with your provider to determine what’s included in your specific plan coverage.

Why Choose Millersville Family Dentistry for a Root Canal?

Millersville Family Dentistry has earned a positive reputation in the Millersville community for our exceptional family dentistry skills, including our ability to save teeth without extraction. We cater to the specific needs of every patient, providing personalized treatment plans. Our office accepts most major dental insurance plans, including Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna PPO, Delta Dental PPO, and United Health Care PPO. You may also discuss interest-free payment plans with our staff. Whether you’re looking for an emergency dental clinic or a new dentist for your family’s annual checkups, we’ll take excellent care of you. Download and complete our new patient forms before your visit.

Schedule an Appointment for Your Family’s Dental Services

If you would like to schedule an examination to determine if you need a root canal, contact us today to make an appointment. We welcome the opportunity to help you improve your oral health with our many dental services, including root canal treatment at Millersville Family Dentistry!