Root Canal Therapy Shorewood

Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber provide root canal therapy for dental patients in the Shorewood, Joliet and Plainfield, Illinois areas.

Everyone should have a smile they can be confident about. With root canal therapy, Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber can help you achieve a beautiful smile that is worth showing off. Faber Dental Arts has been providing patients in the Shorewood, Joliet and Plainfield, Illinois area with root canal therapy for 25 years.

What is root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy or “root canal” is a procedure to treat and save damaged and infected teeth. Before root canal therapy, the only treatment for affected teeth was removal. Today, root canal therapy is a common procedure that has a very high rate of success.

Your teeth contain tiny passageways called root canals. Each tooth contains one or more. Your back teeth contain more root canals than your front teeth. Inside each tooth, the root canal branches off from beneath the surface and extends to the tip of the root. The location and shape of each root canal varies from tooth to tooth.

Your root canals and the interior of your teeth contain pulp. Pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. Pulp nourishes teeth when they first emerge and are forming. When a tooth is mature, it is supported by a blood supply that establishes around the tooth.

Pulp that becomes infected or damaged is removed with root canal therapy. Pulp is commonly infected by an untreated cavity. A cavity can extend through the layers of a tooth. Tooth decay can lead to infection if it extends through the tooth’s outer layers (the enamel and dentin) and into the pulp and root canal. The opening created by a cavity allows bacteria to access and infect the pulp.

Inflammation from an infection restricts a tooth’s blood supply. The reduced blood supply inhibits the tooth’s ability to heal itself. Pulp can also become infected because of damage from trauma. A cracked tooth can lead to tooth decay. An infection may occur in a similar fashion as with a cavity.

A pulp infection needs to be treated with root canal therapy. If a pulp infection is not treated, your tooth may need to be removed, and your infection may spread. A pulp infection can form an abscess (pus-pocket) and spread to your gum and jawbone. From there, it may spread to other parts of your body, including your brain, and cause serious medical conditions.

What can I expect at my root canal therapy appointment?

Root canal therapy can require one or more visits to your dentist, depending on your tooth’s condition. An infected tooth may require more visits.

Your dentist will numb your gums surrounding the affected tooth so that you will not feel any pain during the procedure. You may be sedated as well. Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber will use a very fine drill to create a small hole in the top or back of the tooth to access the pulp and remove what is infected.

Drs. Kurt and Jonathan Faber will measure the size of the tooth’s root canals. They may use X-rays and an apex locator to measure their lengths. An apex locator uses a small harmless electrical current to calculate the length of the canal. They need to know the length of the root canals for treatment planning.

After the root canals are measured, they are cleaned with special instruments. All of the canals in the tooth need to be cleaned. They are shaped to receive fillings and an antiseptic solution is applied to treat the infection. Next, the root canals are filled with a malleable material and anti-infection medication. The tooth will receive a temporary filling between dental visits or the tooth may be left open to help it heal. You may receive medication at this time for the infection. The tooth is permanently sealed with a crown.

Root canal therapy relieves the symptoms of infected pulp. Your restored tooth has the potential to remain healthy for a very long time. Practice good oral health care and receive regular dental checkups to ensure the integrity of your teeth.

Am I a good candidate for root canal therapy?

Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber can determine if you need root canal therapy by examining your tooth and determining the condition of the pulp. Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber may take X-rays to view the inside structure of your tooth. To test the sensitivity of your tooth, your dentist will gently tap your tooth and place hot and cold temperatures on it. Additionally, your dentist will inspect your gums for swelling.

Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber may conduct further tests to help identify and determine the extent of a pulp infection. An electrical pulp tester is used to find out if the pulp is alive. The device sends a small electrical current through the tooth. You may feel a temporary tingling sensation while the test is conducted. The test does not cause pain or electrical shock.

Can I afford root canal therapy?

Faber Dental Arts works with many insurance providers to ensure patients get their dental needs covered. Check with your insurance provider before coming to Faber Dental Arts to educate yourself on what your dental plan covers for root canal therapy. Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber offer a variety of payment options, and to make it more convenient for Shorewood, Joliet and Plainfield patients, they offer online insurance submission forms. Faber Dental Arts also offers a variety of financing options.

Dr. Kurt Faber and Dr. Jonathan Faber are very talented and combined with their friendly staff will offer you the best education, talent and comfort for all of your dental needs. If you live in the Illinois Valley region, call Faber Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment. Don’t let your smile wait any longer.