Root Canal Therapy in Somerset, KY
You may have numerous notions about root canals. Perhaps you’ve heard that they’re painful or that the procedure is a difficult one. However, root canals are useful in relieving symptoms of infection and pain. They may even help to extend the life of your tooth by decades, with the proper restoration. With modern treatment methods, your root canal can be quick and virtually pain-free.
At Southern Dental Group, Dr. Michael Pope has years of experience performing root canals successfully. He is extremely gentle and will make sure you are numb for your procedure so you feel comfortable.
What Is a Root Canal?
When your tooth becomes infected, it can cause significant pain, swelling, and sensitivity. You may notice that your pain increases over time. Inside your tooth is an area that surrounds the nerve, called the pulp. When that tissue becomes infected, it can feel quite painful. Root canal treatment removes the infection from inside your tooth and allows your body to heal.
Dr. Pope will use precision instruments to remove the pulp, nerve, and infection. Then he will pack your canal with a biocompatible material and medication to assist with healing. He will monitor your condition, making sure you heal properly.
Your body will take over the natural healing process, and you will begin to feel better each day until your pain is completely gone. Once your tooth heals completely, Dr. Pope will recommend a restoration to protect your tooth – either a filling or a crown depending on the location of your tooth.
Why Would My Tooth Require a Crown?
Once you have a root canal, your tooth structure changes and becomes brittle. A filling may be enough to protect your tooth from damage, but in the case of molars or other teeth that absorb force from chewing, a crown might be a more suitable option. Unlike a filling, which seals your tooth to keep out food and bacteria, a crown completely covers your tooth, providing extra support and preventing it from fractures. The proper restoration is essential to the long-term function of your tooth.
Why Save Your Tooth?
You may wonder why we go through this effort to save your tooth, when extracting it may be the easier option. Losing a tooth can have serious repercussions with your dental health, in addition to having an effect on your self-confidence.
Tooth replacement treatments are often more expensive and less convenient than saving your natural tooth. We can discuss all of your options after a thorough exam.
Call Us for an Evaluation
Are you experiencing tooth pain? Call our office today for an evaluation. Dr. Pope and our entire team look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, comfortable smile that lasts a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that dental emergencies can arise at any time. Even if you are diligent with your care and have relatively good dental health, you can have an unexpected and often painful experience at just about any moment.
We never want our patients to act tough and suffer through unnecessary dental pain. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is seriously wrong and needs your attention. At the first sign of discomfort, give us a call. We can ask questions that will help us understand what might be happening and how we should address your particular situation.
If you break a tooth, lose a filling, lose a crown, or if you have unexplained dental pain, calling us right away can help us treat you better.
If your dental emergency is part of an accident and you have uncontrolled or excessive bleeding, a head injury, or feel dizzy, you should go to the nearest emergency room because you may have more serious injuries that take priority over your dental health.
If we see you in our office for an emergency exam, we will focus on relieving your pain, stabilizing the situation, and determining the next best step for treatment.
When in doubt, always give us a call. We are here to help.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Michael Pope DMD
Dr. Pope is originally from Barbourville, KY. He attended the University of Kentucky for undergraduate studies and received his dental degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, Christian Medical & Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and an Alumni of the Dawson Academy.
Dr. Pope provides outstanding service to all members of your family in a friendly and comfortable setting. Some of his areas of interest are cosmetic dentistry, especially utilizing the CEREC system, and implant dentistry. Dr. Pope ...
Featured Blog Posts - Root Canals
3 Signs That Point to the Need for a Root Canal
If you woke up this morning with alarming oral health symptoms including a toothache, pain, or something that just doesn’t feel right, you might want to search for a dentist who offers root canal therapy in Somerset.
While it is impossible to diagnose the need for a root canal without a complete exam, there are three signs that point to the presence of an infection and root canals can save teeth. You might have some anxiety about seeking treatment because you have heard that root canals are painful. At Southern Dental ...