Root Canal Therapy:
Redefining Gentle Dentistry
Finding a gentle dental clinic in Lincoln, NE that you feel suits your needs can be challenging. While there are many dentists to choose from, it’s always important to choose a dentist in Lincoln, NE that you feel comfortable with, but most importantly, be sure to choose a dentist that you feel will take great care of you and your oral health. Root canals can, in fact, be an important part of your oral health. Treatment of infected teeth with root canal therapy can help preserve your natural tooth. At Preserve Family Dentistry, we feel educating you plays a vital role in you being able to make an informed decision regarding your oral health. In our article we’ll cover:
Hoping to find a “gentle root canal near me?” If so, you’re not alone! You may have had bad experiences with the dentist in the past, just like many others. Many of us can recall the less-than-pleasant experiences we’ve had at the dentist’s office. This is why Preserve Family Dentistry has worked so hard to create a comfortable, compassionate environment. If you think you might need to have a root canal and is scared about this procedure, keep reading to learn more about having a gentle root canal.
You may also ask if a root canal safe for your overall health? Not every root canal should be completed and each case should be evaluated carefully.
Every time I have to decide on the safety of a root canal treatment for my patients I make sure I consider all of those top reasons for root canals failing.
- Removal of all bacteria (intra-canal and extra-canal). Can all of the bacteria be removed?
- What is the overall health of a patient? Patients with auto-immune conditions may be advised against root canals.
- What are the biting forces and can a root canal treated tooth handle the biting pressure? Some patients have a very strong bite and root canals might not be a great choice for them.
- Is there a crack in a tooth? The crack can allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause another abscess to form. Cracked teeth may lead to failing root canals.
- Can an inadequate filling of the canal be completed? (canals that are poorly cleaned and obturated fail)
- Can a root canal filling be placed properly? Overextended root canal filling materials lead to root canals fail.
- Can the tooth be restored properly? Improper dental restorations after a root canal lead to root canals fail.
- Can I find and treat all canals in a tooth? Untreated canals (both major and accessory) will lead to failing root canals.
- Can I avoid complications of instrumentation during a root canal treatment? Complications such as ledges, perforations, or separated instruments lead to failed root canals.
As you can see, not every tooth could be a candidate for a safe and gentle root canal therapy. If you would like to evaluate your tooth, please call us or schedule a consultation 24/7 using online scheduling.
You can also email us directly with any questions at nebraskafamilydentistry@gmail.com.
Completing a “Gentle Root Canal Near Me” at Preserve Family Dentistry in Lincoln, NE
If a tooth becomes infected or has endured trauma, you may be searching for a “gentle root canal near me.” Many patients are not sure if they should go to an endodontist vs a family dentist in Lincoln, NE for their root canal procedure. General dentists are trained to perform root canals and can successfully treat the majority of root canals in their practice. If your case is very complex and requires additional skill, your family dentist in Lincoln, NE may refer you to an endodontist for more complicated treatment.
How is a root canal completed?
More about Endodontics in Lincoln, NE
According to American Association of Endodontics: Root canal treatment is a treatment sequence for the infected pulp of a tooth which results in the elimination of infection and the protection of the decontaminated tooth from future microbial invasion. Why do some fail? Info from the EU Journal of Medicine: Failure of endodontic treatment.
When a tooth becomes infected, the bacteria must be cleaned out of the tooth to save the tooth. This eliminates the infection in the tooth. After the infection has been treated, our Lincoln dentist will disinfect the inside of the tooth and place a unique filling material in the tooth that extends all the way to the ends of the roots. Afterward, your tooth will be protected with a gentle dental crown to protect the tooth from fracture.
In the past, the only treatment for infected teeth was extraction. Modern dental technology allows dentists in Lincoln, NE to perform root canal therapy as a routine dental procedure. For the most part, our general dentists will treat patients who need a root canal. However, if a tooth has more complicated problems or unusual anatomy, we refer our patients to an endodontist. An endodontist performs additional procedures. General dentists near me in Lincoln, NE can perform a variety of dental procedures but can refer complicated cases to endodontists who have more advanced training in these cases.
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions with quick answers regarding root canals. For more questions and answers please go to the Commonly Asked Questions About Having a “Gentle Root Canal Near Me” section of our article.
Root Canal: How does the pulp become infected?
When a cavity or tooth decay grows deeper into the tooth, it has nowhere to travel but into the tooth’s root, or pulp. When this happens, the pulp becomes infected. To reach the pulp, decay must pass through a tooth’s enamel, which is the first line of defense. Then, it reaches the dentin, before reaching the pulp chamber. This chamber is the inner part of the tooth which holds the blood supply and nerves for a tooth. At this point, patients usually experience discomfort because of the infection in the nerve of the tooth. This infection makes root canal therapy necessary. Do you have more questions about root canals? Please read our FAQs.
Symptoms of an Infected Root Canal
Root canal infections are very common. If any of the following symptoms are present, it’s possible that you need a root canal. Contact our dentist in Lincoln, NE if you have any of the following:
- A tooth that is extra sensitive to hot and cold
- Chewing is very uncomfortable on a specific tooth
- Swollen, bloody, or pus-filled gums around a specific tooth
- A sharp toothache that you can feel in your jaw or head
Endodontists explain step by step process of getting a root canal:
American Endodontists talk about the common myths about root canals:
Common Failures of Root Canals:
Influence of microbiology on endodontic failure. Literature review:
Lincoln endodontist talking about Root Cause Movie:
The American Academy of Endodontists answers this question regarding the safety of root canals for overall health:
Endodontists explain step by step process of getting a root canal:
In this video an Endodontist will answer the question: Are root canals safe for your health?
Dr. Kathryn Alderman and Gentle Dentistry
How can I help you have a comfortable root canal experience?
Over the years, I have performed hundreds of root canals.
Along with ensuring your convenience, I want to make sure you’re comfortable too. If you have any fears or concerns about the procedure, I will take the time to talk to you about them. As your Lincoln dentist, I have worked with many anxious patients over the years. I will do everything I can to help you to be relaxed while in my care.
My office offers blankets, pillows, TVs with headphones, and oral sedation dentistry. As your Lincoln dentist, I am committed to your comfort and providing you with a positive experience.
To avoid dental problems that can lead to root canals, I encourage my patients to see a dentist in Lincoln, NE for a cleaning and checkup at least twice a year. When we see you more frequently, we’re able to spot any potential problems before they require more extensive dental treatment. Usually, when dental conditions are treated early on, we can avoid extensive treatment like root canals. Dental checkups can help you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime.
If you want to set up an appointment or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact a dentist in Lincoln, NE at Preserve Family Dentistry or call any of our locations. For our East Lincoln office, call 402-413-7000. Learn more about root canal therapy in Lincoln, NE.
Commonly Asked Questions About Having a “Gentle Root Canal Near Me”
Q: How much does a “gentle root canal near me” in Lincoln, NE cost?
A: As stated above, the cost of a root canal can vary depending upon many factors. One things that can factor into cost is whether you see an endodontist vs a family dentist like Dr. Kathryn Alderman. Similarly, the cost of a root canal can vary based on whether or not you have dental insurance.
Over the years, Dr. Kathryn Alderman has been able to perform countless root canal procedures. In some cases, if the tooth has complicated anatomy inside, she will refer you to an endodontist, who is a root canal professional. While Dr. Kathryn Alderman is not an endodontist, she can successfully treat the majority of the root canals that come into the office.
If you’re concerned about the cost of your root canal or any other procedure, you can call and ask about our many different payment options.
For other payment needs, we also accept credit cards, cash, check, and almost all major insurance companies. We’re glad to submit your insurance claims for your added convenience, and we’re happy to answer any questions about payments. Finally, we offer our own payment plans, so you can create a schedule to pay for treatment if you can’t afford it upfront. Learn more about dental payment plans in Lincoln, NE.
Q: My child needs a “gentle root canal near me.” Is it safe to have a root canal done on a baby tooth?
A: Cavities in children are very common. Most cavities do not hurt unless they have reached the nerve space. In baby teeth, the pulp chamber (where the nerve lives) is much bigger than it is in permanent teeth. Cavities in baby teeth grow much faster and reach this pulp chamber more rapidly than they do in adult teeth. When the cavity reaches this pulpal space, our dentists in Lincoln, NE and parents have to decide if they should save the tooth or remove it. The decision depends on factors such as: (a) Child’s health (b) Age (c) The size of a cavity (d) the presence of infection or inflammation. For young children, it is recommended to save teeth by performing pulpal therapy, which is not the same as a traditional root canal performed in adult (permanent) teeth. The main objective of pulp therapy in the primary teeth is to retain every primary tooth as a fully functional component in the dental arch to allow for proper chewing, speaking, swallowing, and preservation of the space required for the eruption of permanent teeth.
The pulpal therapy that is performed at my office is total pulpectomy using Root mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA.)
Chemical characteristics of mineral trioxide aggregate and its hydration reaction
In primary molars far from their shedding time, total pulpectomy can be an alternative approach instead of extraction.
Total pulpectomy using MTA can only be used on non-infected primary teeth.
Other contraindications for total pulpectomy:
(a) Badly decayed primary molar.
(b) Extensive root resorption
Q: Should I go to the endodontist vs my family dentist for my “gentle root canal near me?”
A: Endodontists are dentists with advanced training to perform complicated root canals and other surgeries of the roots of teeth. All general dentists are trained to perform root canal therapy. Some general dentists in Lincoln, NE prefer to refer all of their patients who need root canals to the endodontist while others are very confident and skilled at performing root canals.
At Preserve Family Dentistry, our dentists are skilled at performing root canal therapy and do them routinely. If your case would require more detailed treatment, your Lincoln dentist at Preserve Family Dentistry will refer you to an endodontist, professionals at root canals.
Q: When do I know if I need a root canal?
A: Any time dental work is performed on a tooth, the nerve becomes inflamed as a normal part of the healing process. This inflammation is usually only present for a short period of time. If everything heals normally after the procedure, the discomfort should eventually subside. If the tooth did not heal normally after treatment, the nerve can become chronically inflamed, leading to the death of the nerve. When this happens, the tooth becomes extremely uncomfortable. The tooth may suddenly start to ache intensely and disturb patients during the night. When this occurs, it is not possible for the body to heal on its own, and a root canal and crown can be done to remove the dying nerve and preserve the tooth for years to come. A root canal done by a Lincoln dentist will eliminate the infection from the dead nerve and the cause for discomfort in the tooth.
Q: I have a returning dental abscess after a recent root canal, what should be done?
A: If root canal treatment was successful, there should be no sign of a dental abscess. An abscess can occur after a root canal because of abnormal root anatomy or an abnormal number of canals not visible on the x-ray that were not cleaned out during treatment. Another reason for root canal failure is a cracked root. The crack can allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause another abscess to form. An excellent treatment option in this situation is to take antibiotics to stop the infection from spreading and remove the tooth.
Q: How long does a toothache last? Will a toothache go away on its own? Do I have to see a dentist for my toothache?
A: Cavities do not hurt until they are advanced and require more extensive treatment in the majority of cases. If you have a toothache, it is unlikely that it will go away without dental treatment. If a tooth has ached intensely and then suddenly stopped hurting, the tooth may have died and become infected. For some patients, the infection can drain out into the mouth and does not put pressure on the nerves around the teeth and therefore has little to no discomfort. Although it may no longer be hurting, this is a dental emergency. You should call your Lincoln dentist as soon as possible if you have experienced these symptoms. Check your gums for a pimple draining infectious fluid in the mouth. This is a sign that there is a significant dental infection. You should always see your family dentist if your teeth are aching.
Q: How much does a root canal cost in Lincoln, NE at a general dentist vs endodontist?
A: The prices of root canals can vary. One of the factors that affect the cost of root canals is whether patients get treatment from an endodontist vs general dentist in Lincoln, NE. Our Lincoln dental clinic accepts most major dental insurance which usually offers coverage for 50-80% of the cost of treatment. For a more accurate estimate of the cost of root canal therapy at a general dentist vs endodontist office, you can call us and discuss payment options and insurance plans we work with. If needed, it may be necessary to see an endodontist for your root canal therapy.
The information on this page was written by Dr. Kathryn Alderman.
This gentle Lincoln, NE dentists says: “I am aware that dental phobia is a serious condition that affects a significant portion of the population. Many people are also fearful or anxious about visiting the dentist that they let their oral health suffer as a result. Many anxious patients often have problems with their teeth, with infection and chronic gum disease as a result of not seeing a dentist on a regular schedule. With sedation dentistry, we have many techniques and methods in our office to help you overcome your anxieties and make you dental experience comfortable and even enjoyable. Come and see us soon. We will be glad to see you at our office.”
You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or her partners, online 24/7 at a Preserve Family Dentistry Location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Roca, Bennet, Firth, Eagle, and Walton!
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We have 7 Locations in Lincoln, NE!
- Lincoln Family Dentistry – Central Lincoln
- South Lincoln Family Dentistry – South Lincoln
- Northeast Lincoln Family Dentistry – Northeast Lincoln
- Preserve Family Dentistry – East Lincoln
- Coddington Dental – West Lincoln
- NorthStar Dental – North Lincoln
- SouthPointe Dental – Southwest Lincoln
- Lincoln Dental Plans – Affordable Dental Options
Nebraska Family Dentistry has Lincoln Dental clinics in all parts of Lincoln. Choose a “near me dentist” location that is convenient for you.
