Services

Root Canals in Cookeville, TN

What Are Root Canals?

Understanding The Basics

A root canal is a procedure that involves removing the "pulp" (soft inside of a tooth) due to infection or decay. The infected or damaged material is removed and then a filling or temporary crowns is used to seal up the tooth. 
Root canals are the best way to save a damaged tooth so you don't have to have it extracted. It's important not to ignore tooth decay which can cause even worse problems. Don’t put off treating dental decay or infection. Make an appointment with Dr. Taylor Enochs Engler today and save your tooth.

The Root Canal Process

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Initial Consultation

First Dr. Taylor will perform an oral exam to ensure you’re a good candidate for a root canal. She will take an x-ray of the affected teeth to determine if there is an infection in the bone or around the tooth.

preparing the tooth

You will be given a numbing agent and then a local anesthetic will be injected into the gums which will prevent pain. A small opening will be made at the top of the affected tooth to expose the damaged pulp.

root canal

Then, Dr. Taylor will use a dentist tool called a file to remove the infected tissue and clean all of the canals inside the tooth. A topical antibiotic is sometimes applied to the tooth to remove any remaining infection and prevent the tooth from being reinfected. Then, the tooth is sealed with a sealer paste and gutta-percha filling.

filling

Finally, the opening in the tooth will be filled with a sealant. Follow up with your regular dentist a few days after the root canal to ensure that there is no remaining infection.

Do Root Canals Hurt?

What To Expect

A root canal is no more painful than other dental procedures like fillings. Modern dentistry allows us to perform root canals painlessly and easily. You are given a numbing agent and anesthetic so you will not feel pain during the procedure. You may feel a slight stinging sensation or pressure when the anesthetic is injected into your gums which goes away very fast.

The most pain you will feel from a root canal is post-procedure, because your gums will be a bit sore once the numbing agent wears off. Using some The dentist will usually advise you to treat any soreness or pain with over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

What will cause you to experience pain is leaving an infected or seriously decayed tooth untreated rather than the root canal itself. If you experience extreme pain which does not go away, you should contact Dr. Taylor.

Preparing for Your First Visit?

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Easing Dental Anxiety With Sedation

Sedation Options

At Dogwood Family Dental, we understand that many people dread going to the dentist. Maybe you have a dental phobia or have a fear of needles. That’s why we offer dental sedation for many of our dental treatments so you don’t have to stress about your treatment or even remember it.

If you experience dental anxiety, have a strong gag reflex, or struggle to stay still for long periods, you may want to consider dental sedation. There are many different forms of sedation, including oral conscious sedation, laughing gas, local anesthetic, or general anesthetic. 

The most common sedative is oral conscious sedation, which consists of the patient taking an anti-anxiety medication such as a benzodiazepine before their appointment. You will feel extremely relaxed and likely not remember anything from your treatment but you need to have someone give you a ride to and from your appointment since you will not be able to drive.