Root Canals in Webster Groves, MO

Do you need a root canal? If so, there’s no need to fear treatment—our gentle dentist can perform your root canal procedure and get you out of pain in no time! 

At Webster Groves Dental, we perform both routine and emergency root canal treatments as needed. We know that sometimes you have to act fast to save a damaged tooth, and we can treat your symptoms in our sterile, clean, and safe environment. If you’ve been told you have a root canal infection, or if you have a suspicion about a painful tooth, please don’t hesitate to call us at (314) 918-9666. 

• What Is A Root Canal?
• Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
• Comfortable Dental Care in Webster Groves
• Endodontics at Webster Groves Dental
• Caring For Your Teeth After A Root Canal Procedure

What Is A Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is a restorative dental treatment that our Webster Groves dentist performs in the pulp area of your tooth root(s). Pulp is home to vital nerves and blood vessels. When pulp becomes infected due to untreated decay, we remove it to save your tooth and alleviate pain. 

A root canal is necessary to save a tooth from nerve exposure. This condition is usually quite painful, but it’s also common to have an infection called an “abscess” form around an infected tooth even if there is minimal discomfort.

If you need a root canal near Webster Groves, our dental office can complete your treatment. Without treatment, the root canal infection will continue to spread, and a more serious infection will develop, and eventually, we will have to perform a tooth extraction. 

Several things can cause a tooth nerve to become infected, such as a deep cavity, multiple dental procedures performed on the tooth, a cracked or broken tooth, or any tooth trauma. We often recommend a dental crown after a root canal to protect your tooth and extend the life of your tooth for years to come.

Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

Few treatments in the dental world have a reputation as bad as the root canal. Because of the pain associated with root canals, mainly patients unfairly fear or avoid their necessary root canals—without realizing that a root canal actually relieves tooth pain instead of causing it!

When a tooth is infected or broken to the point of needing root canal treatment, that tooth is almost always symptomatic and incredibly painful. Once a dentist performs a root canal procedure to save the tooth, however, the pain goes away. Unfortunately, many people remember most about their root canal is the pain they felt beforehand, which leads them to associate root canals with pain. 

Being afraid of root canals, however, poses a threat to your oral health. If you need a root canal but become so scared of the pain that you refuse to get treatment, you put your health and safety on the line. An infected tooth not only puts the rest of your smile at risk, but it can also compromise your jaw health and the health of your sinus. 

Ignoring your need for a root canal means you’ll most likely need more expensive and more invasive dental treatments later, including extractions, a dental bridge, or a dental implant. Pain from root canal infections will not go away if you ignore it! 

Since our gentle Webster Groves dentist can perform your root canal treatment right here in an environment you trust, there is no reason to be afraid. Avoiding dental procedures will only make the problem worse, so contact Webster Groves Dental right away to schedule a root canal treatment if you need it!

Comfortable Dental Care in Webster Groves

As we’ve discussed above, root canals get unfairly judged for being painful. Root canals, however, are similar to standard dental fillings and are typically only an uncomfortable inconvenience. 

Modern technology has made getting a root canal a relatively painless procedure. You will, of course, be sufficiently numb before we begin any treatment. Dr. Wenzel and our staff at Webster Groves Dental take every precaution to ensure you are comfortable and relaxed during your procedure.

We invite you to bring in any objects or “amenities” that might make your treatment with us more comfortable. For example, many patients enjoy listening to music through headphones during their appointment to drown out any unpleasant noises. You’re also welcome to bring a blanket, pillow, or sunglasses to help you feel more relaxed in the dental chair. 

Your root canal should not be painful because your mouth will be numb. It’s normal to feel pressure and sensations of scraping, cleaning, and drilling throughout your dental appointment, but these feelings shouldn’t be the same as pain. If you start to feel pain or can tell that your anesthesia is wearing off at any point, please notify us immediately so we can correct the problem. 

If you were suffering from significant pain before your root canal treatment, you could expect to have immediate relief once the procedure is complete.

Endodontics at Webster Groves Dental

Unless your situation is highly unique or complex, you will not need to see a specialist for your root canal infection. Most root canal treatments are standard restorative dentistry procedures that we can perform right here in our Webster Groves dental office. Dr. Wenzel has years of experience in endodontics, and we strive to offer the treatments your family needs so you can receive all your dental care in one place from our friendly dental staff. 

Before we perform root canal treatment for any patient, we always perform a pre-treatment examination and take any necessary dental x-rays to ensure that we’re providing the best treatment possible. If your examination or imaging indicates any potential problems or irregularities, Dr. Wenzel may choose to refer you to a specialist. 

Caring For Your Teeth After A Root Canal Procedure

Teeth that receive root canal treatment inevitably become weaker and more fragile as a result. Because Dr. Wenzel has to remove infected tissue during your root canal, your tooth has less material and less to support it once the treatment is over.

To counteract these effects and give your tooth the best chance at thriving even post-root canal, we will typically recommend placing an artificial tooth crown over the compromised tooth to add stability and structure. 

After your tooth recovers and you are pain-free, Dr. Wenzel will have you return to our dental office to place a permanent dental crown. This tooth crown will be made of durable materials like porcelain or ceramic and will look beautiful alongside your natural teeth.

Contact Our Webster Groves Dentist Office to Schedule!

If you need root canal treatment, you shouldn’t wait to seek treatment. Quickly getting professional dental help will minimize both your pain and your risk of developing more serious oral health problems down the road. 

At Webster Groves Dental, we know how unbearable a toothache can be, not to mention how it can affect eating, talking, and even sleeping! We want to help you feel better quickly, and in most cases, the solution is root canal treatment.

If you are experiencing any pain in your mouth, contact our dental office at (314) 918-9666, and we will do our best to schedule you as soon as possible.