Lubbock, TX dentist offers root canal treatment.

Lubbock, TX area dentist, Dr. Cole Sutak of Lone Star Smiles, offers a wide range of services for patients in the community. This includes restorative services such as root canal treatment.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment, or “endodontic therapy,” is a procedure that is performed to save a tooth from extraction. The procedure is performed during a single appointment and provides relief from severe toothaches.

Why do I need root canal treatment?

There are several reasons why a patient might need root canal therapy. The procedure is sometimes done when a patient has an extremely large cavity that has resulted in an infection inside of the tooth. Other times, it may be caused by an abscess or trauma. There is no alternative to root canal therapy except extraction of the natural tooth. This should be avoided whenever possible, which is why root canal therapy is performed as a way of maintaining the tooth in the smile.

When to have root canal treatment

In most cases, obtaining root canal treatment as soon as possible is highly recommended to avoid any further complications caused by the problem. In some cases, root canal therapy may be done as a dental emergency for an individual with severe pain and infection.

Video Transcript

Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.

What to expect from root canal treatment

During root canal treatment, the dentist will create an access point into the inner canals of the tooth. Then, the inner portion of the tooth which holds the dental pulp is removed. The dental pulp holds the blood supply and nerves that keep the tooth alive. Once the dental pulp is removed, the area is disinfected before being filled with materials such as gutta percha and a composite resin. In many situations, the dentist may also have a dental crown placed over the top of the tooth as an extra layer of strength and protection.

Schedule an appointment with our Lubbock, TX area dentist

Dr. Cole Sutak of Lone Star Smiles is here to help patients of all ages achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. If you need root canal therapy or other restorative services, call our team of professionals. We are open to new and established patients and families.